Apple finally launched their much-anticipated iTunes Gift Cards in the United Arab Emirates through at least three retailers. Available in three denominations – Dh100 ($27.23), Dh250 ($68.06) and Dh500 ($136.13) the Gift Cards are sold at iSTYLE, Sharaf DG and Carrefour hypermarkets.
The card allows users to buy apps, music, games and movies from the iTunes store in the UAE. Although the US iTunes Store has more media offerings, Nilesh Kalka, CEO of Sharaf DG, told Gulf News that the UAE iTunes site focuses more on Arabic and local content.
One group who will benefit? Tourists to the UAE, who do not have an iTunes store in their country yet. While tourists are physically located in the UAE they will be able to download goods from the UAE iTunes using the gift card.
This is the first time these cards are available in this market. The move signals Apple’s heightened interest in the region, following the news this summer that their first retail store will open in the United Arab Emirates. It is still unclear if the store will be in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, and a source told Emirates 247 that there could be a store in both cities.
There are rumors that future store at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates could be Apple’s largest retail store in the world.