iQ Apple Authorised Premium Reseller Isle of Man Now Open

The new ‘iQ’, Victory House, 4000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art store will showcase Apple’s latest up-to-date APR design features and will offer the complete range of Apple products and a wide choice of cutting-edge, third party products; including gadgets and accessories from Bose, Sonos, Mous, Belkin and Marshall.

In addition to the product range, the new store will incorporate a training room and business suite with facilities and additional resources for support, repair and education services.

To date, 13 new job roles have been created and locally based contractors were used for the full ‘iQ’ site development. The new recruits have a passion for the products they’re selling and have received extensive Apple expert training to ensure exceptional and comprehensive customer service which APR stores are renowned for.

SandpiperCI, the largest retailer in the Channel Islands employing over a thousand people across more than 80 outlets are the owners of the new iQ store, Sandpiper’s Retail Managing Director, Mike Rutter commented:

“Sandpiper has been looking to invest in the Isle of Man for some time. We recently opened a Card Factory franchise in Douglas and are now looking forward to iQ opening this Friday (30th). We already operate several blue-chip franchises and we’ll be looking to either expand those into the island or invest in new franchises when we identify suitable opportunities.”

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, commented: “The retail sector in the Isle of Man is a significant contributor to the Manx economy. An excellent mix of well-known high street brands and independent retailers not only adds to the quality of life for the Island’s residents but is also an important element in attracting investors, skilled workers and visitors to the Island.”

“To keep pace with rising expectations from the public, it has become increasingly important for Manx retailers to focus on and continue to develop high value customer service in order to keep attracting customers into our town centres. It is therefore fantastic news and very fitting to see SandpiperCI support our vision for this sector as they open their second franchise store on-island, iQ. Along with the creation of 13 new jobs, I’m delighted to have seen local contractors and shopfitters engaged to assist with work on site and the professional delivery of the store to the high quality and standards associated with the brand. I wish SandpiperCI all the very best with this new venture – I have no doubt that it will prove extremely popular.”

Caroline Slowey-Dickinson, Sandpiper’s locally based Brand Director added: “We have been overwhelmed with the help we have received from everyone in the Isle of Man. From the Government and official authorities to the professional teams and staff we have worked with, everyone has worked so hard to get to this point. iQ Victory House will be the third Apple Premium Reseller in our portfolio, the first two APRs in Jersey and Guernsey have already exceeded our expectation, this Isle of Man store is larger in size, and will, I hope, make its mark as a destination store bringing improved footfall to the Prospect Hill area.”

The new iQ Victory House store will be open six days a week from 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday .