Large-scale Hiring for 11 Retail Job Categories
Apple Store 3rd Branch Expected to Open in Early 2024
Location Presumed to Be Former Kookmin Bank Myeongdong Main Branch Site
Apple Store Yeouido, the second branch located in IFC Mall, Yeouido, Seoul [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Apple Korea, which recorded a massive sales revenue of 7 trillion won last year and is preparing to open its 3rd store, has launched a large-scale recruitment drive for new retail staff.
According to industry sources on the 17th, Apple Korea is currently recruiting for 11 positions in the retail sector through its headquarters' website. The positions range from senior managers to store leaders, operations experts, technical specialists, geniuses, creatives, and specialists.
Apple is increasing its retail workforce to secure staff for the anticipated 3rd Apple Store located in Myeongdong, Seoul. Prior to opening the first store in Garosugil and the second store in Yeouido IFC Mall, Apple also hired a large number of retail employees. The Apple Yeouido store opened in February last year despite the COVID-19 situation.
The estimated number of employees working simultaneously at a single Apple store in Korea is around 30 to 40. Considering shift work, nearly 100 employees work per store. This explains why recruitment announcements are posted repeatedly over extended periods.
As Apple’s presence in Korea strengthens, the expansion of stores is gaining momentum. Apple, which achieved sales of around 7 trillion won last year, remitted nearly 1 trillion won in accumulated retained earnings as dividends to its headquarters. The sales volume accounts for 22% of the total annual sales in the Asia-Pacific region excluding Greater China and Japan. The industry is also closely watching news related to the opening of the 4th Apple Store.
With Apple Korea increasing the number of stores, the number of employees in Korea is also expected to rise. According to the management status included in the audit report as of the end of September 2021, Apple Korea had 740 employees. Apple, which opened in Korea 20 years ago, reached 500 employees in June 2019 and has since increased by 240 employees in two and a half years.
Meanwhile, the likely location for the 3rd store, expected to open in the first half of this year, is the 1st and 2nd floors of the newly constructed Centerpoint Myeongdong Building, situated on the site of the Kookmin Bank Myeongdong headquarters. However, Apple Korea has officially stated that it cannot confirm this information.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
