(Yicai) July 30 -- Apple said the US tech giant decided to close a store in China for the first time after several other retailers left the shopping mall where it is located.

The Apple Store in Parkland Mall in the city of Dalian will cease operations at 8 p.m. on Aug. 9, according to Apple China’s website. The company's China arm told Yicai the decision was taken after other retailers departed the same location.

The Parkland Mall has been embroiled in litigation since 2022, with Versus, Coach, Kenzo, Hugo Boss, MCM Worldwide, Kate Spade, Armani, Sandro, Maje, UGG, Max Mara, and Michael Kors, and other well-known brands closing their shops there upon their leases expiring.

Apple entered the Chinese market in 2008 with its first store in Beijing. Since then, it has expanded to more than 50 retail locations across the country, making it one of California-based company’s most important markets.

Last week, it announced that a new outlet would open in Uniwalk Qianhai in Shenzhen on Aug. 16. In addition, Apple opened a shop in Hefei Mixc earlier this year, its first in Anhui province, and one in Shanghai's central Jing'an district last year, its eighth in the city.

Editor: Martin Kadiev