Just how widespread is the demand for
The Apple Store Afghanistan is located in the Kabul City Center, a complex that houses the nation's largest mall where many visitors are foreigners and expatriates.
Quartz first reported on the unofficial Apple store last week noting that store sales at the location are slim with five to six iPhones and a couple of laptops sold daily. A 16GB iPhone 5 sells for $700 compared to $649 in the U.S. The merchandise is imported from Dubai, according to the store's sales manager who adds that the margins vary from $10 to $50.
It's not the first time fake Apple stores have popped up in unusual locations. Back in 2011, 22 fake Apple stores were found in Chinese city and were later shut down.
The unofficial stores probably say more about Apple's products and the demand they create around the world-- even in war-ravaged countries like Afghanistan. The unofficial store there is located in the country's largest shopping mall where suicide bombers detonated explosives twice since 2010. The mall was opened in 2005.
The store's sales manager tells Quartz that expansion is on the horizon with another location in the works as well as a possible repair store.
As for the official word from Apple on Afghanistan's unofficial store? It company didn't reply to the store's attempt to reach out.
The company has not replied to an email sent today.
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