Apple to open first Mexican retail outlet on Sept. 24

Like other recent international grand openings, Apple is taking the opportunity to celebrate local culture with its forthcoming Mexican store launch. As noted by AppleInsider reader Alvaro, the colorful image accompanying today's email notification is reminiscent of decorations adorning the famous mariachi boats floating along the Xochimilco canals in southern Mexico City.

The graphic, reading "Hola Mexico" (translated as "Hello Mexico"), was subsequently posted to the front page of Apple's regional website.

Apple's Mexico City store in the Centro Santa Fe mall is about three times larger than surrounding boutique storefronts that comprise the plaza's upscale Via Santa Fe wing. Construction on the new location started in July.

Following Apple's "next generation" design language, Via Santa Fe will boast a Genius Bar, custom wooden cabinetry for accessories, wooden display tables and a large sales floor. Whether the outlet will feature the 37-foot, custom built TV display Apple has been installing as part of U.S. and international Apple retail renovations is unknown.

Apple is accepting reservations for in-store classes that begin on Saturday, Sept. 24, with the first sessions covering Mac, iPhone and Apple Watch basics. Those interested can sign up through the store's webpage.

The Via Santa Fe outlet opens on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. local time. Normal operating hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

AppleInsider first reported on Apple's Mexican retail debut in January. Sources familiar with Apple's plans said Mexico City will host two Apple stores, the Via Santa Fe outlet and an upcoming "global flagship" similar in scale to Apple's Union Square outlet in San Francisco. Additional stores are being planned for Guadalajara and Monterrey, reports claim.

The Via Santa Fe opening comes as Apple seeks to push iPhone and other high-tech products into burgeoning markets. After India, the company is eyeing Latin America as a major growth market. Apple currently operates only two brick-and-mortar stores in Brazil, but sources say expansions into nearby countries Argentina, Chile and Peru are in the works.