In a historic move for its China operations, Apple Inc. has announced the closure of its Parkland Mall retail store in Dalian’s Zhongshan District—the first Apple store to ever shut down in the region. The store will officially close its doors on August 9, 2025, with the company citing significant changes in the mall’s environment and management as the main factors behind the decision.
Currently, Apple operates around 56 stores across Greater China, representing over 10% of its global network of more than 530 locations. The Parkland Mall closure will leave Dalian, a city of more than seven million residents, with just one remaining Apple store.
Despite this closure, Apple reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Chinese market and offered store employees opportunities to transfer to other locations, such as the nearby Olympia 66 outlet. The company continues to face tough competition from local tech giants like Huawei and Xiaomi, but stresses that the closure is a response to local retail conditions rather than broader economic or geopolitical factors.
Apple is also pressing ahead with expansion elsewhere in China, planning new stores in major cities including an upcoming opening in Shenzhen. The closure marks a significant moment for Apple’s retail strategy in China and highlights the rapidly changing landscape of the country’s retail sector.
