I'm surprised there aren't more Mac stores in Europe.

coco ebert: I'm surprised there aren't more Mac stores in Europe.

The first one in the Netherlands is opening in a few weeks (though there are plenty of resellers around here). The squealing and talk from the fanboys is more than pathetic.

Andromeda: coco ebert: I'm surprised there aren't more Mac stores in Europe.

The first one in the Netherlands is opening in a few weeks (though there are plenty of resellers around here). The squealing and talk from the fanboys is more than pathetic.

That's why it surprises me. They love Apple in Europe. When I was living in Bern, Switzerland, there was only one store that I can think of, and it was a licensed seller. I'm betting these new stores will generate MASSIVE sales.

FTA: "Apple had filed for a license for retail sales back in November"

You have to have a "licence" to open a retail store? I know Sweden is a socialist nanny state but WTF?

Apple - 'merikun for `made by Asian slaves'.

syberpud: coco ebert: I'm surprised there aren't more Mac stores in Europe.

Apple products are way more expensive in Europe, but yeah, I know lots of folk who use MacOS there.

/subby sounds butthurt
//over Apple or IKEA, not sure which.

Yeah, it's definitely more popular here. But I can speak anecdotally that at least in Turkey, it seems like EVERYONE has an iphone. Fewer Apple computers, but the iphone is huge.

oldfarthenry: Apple - 'merikun for `made by Asian slaves'.

IKEA also "has a globalized supply chain," which is the polite way of saying it nowadays. ;)

I thought Sweden was getting a Wal-Mart.

Gunny Walker: I thought Sweden was getting a Wal-Mart.

I was in a Wal-Mart last night. The word "stylish" never came to mind.

Rapmaster2000: Flint Ironstag: FTA: "Apple had filed for a license for retail sales back in November"

You have to have a "licence" to open a retail store? I know Sweden is a socialist nanny state but WTF?

Ever tried to open a business in the US?

But it's true that they don't have business licenses in a lot of countries. You pay the local warlord a protection cut instead.

Just struck me as weird. Here you don't need any licence to open a business, unless you want to sell specific stuff like alcohol, explosives, etc. Properties are zones for use (general, food, industrial etc) so if the store you rent is the right type you just start trading.

You don't even need to tell the tax people before you start trading. You have three months from when you start to tell them.

iroll: Flint Ironstag: FTA: "Apple had filed for a license for retail sales back in November"

You have to have a "licence" to open a retail store? I know Sweden is a socialist nanny state but WTF?

Where is the "Stupid" vote button?

Since I live in a country where you do not need a licence to open a store I think it is a fair comment. Funny that the Land Of The Free also makes its citizens get permission to start a business.

Heh, I have a Pönang chair from '87 so I'm getting a real kick, etc.

Skarekrough: Flint Ironstag: FTA: "Apple had filed for a license for retail sales back in November"

You have to have a "licence" to open a retail store? I know Sweden is a socialist nanny state but WTF?

They've taxed their residents so deeply they can't afford to use the letter "s."

BTW...don't you need a license to open a restaurant? A bar? A tax license to sell anywhere?

You can't just decide to open up a place called "Touch Rustrod's" and go into business selling things.

In the UK you'd need a licence to open a bar, because it sells alcohol. But a store selling iPhones? No. You can just open a store and start selling things. These are the exceptions where you need a licence. For the vast number of retail stores you don't need any licence.
You don't even have to tell the tax people before opening. You have three months from when you start trading before you need to inform HMRC (the UK IRS)
You need to register a limited liability company if you want to be limited. A sole trader doesn't need to.
You don't even need to register for and start charging sales tax, VAT, unless you turnover more than $100k a year, so you can do that well after you start trading as well.

chechcal: In the UK you'd need a licence to open a bar, because it sells alcohol. But a store selling iPhones? No. You can just open a store and start selling things. These are the exceptions where you need a licence. For the vast number of retail stores you don't need any licence.

I've always wondered, do you need a license to open an off-licence? 'Cos those sell alcohol, too... but the name... I'm confused.

chechcal:
It varies a bit by state (or even by city), but for the most part in the US you need a business permit.

That's why I commented. Just seems strange compared to what I'm used to.

dbirchall: chechcal: In the UK you'd need a licence to open a bar, because it sells alcohol. But a store selling iPhones? No. You can just open a store and start selling things. These are the exceptions where you need a licence. For the vast number of retail stores you don't need any licence.

I've always wondered, do you need a license to open an off-licence? 'Cos those sell alcohol, too... but the name... I'm confused.

Yes, that is a business you need a licence for. "Licenced premises" generally mean a pub. An Off Licence is a place that sells beer, wine and spirit away from a pub, hence "off licence", but it still needs a licence. They also have hours so even the 24 hour supermarkets have to close their alcohol aisle at certain hours.