Apple sparked a wave of speculation that it might open a store in Columbia when it posted job openings for the area Tuesday, but the company said it hasn’t made any plans to do so.
The popular computer and smartphone maker’s website lists 13 retail positions for management, sales and repairs in the Columbia area.
But Apple spokesman Nick Leahy said the company hadn’t made any announcements about a store in Columbia.
The company is adding stores, but they are mostly overseas, according to the annual report it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission late last month.
It added 26 stores last year, including 22 outside the U.S., according to the filing. Apple now owns 416 stores worldwide.
And it plans to add another 30 in 2014, including roughly 20 overseas. Leahy wouldn’t answer questions about Apple’s growth.
An Apple Store has long been a wish for Columbia residents, for whom the closest stores are in Charleston, Charlotte and Greenville.
The last year has seen a wave of interest in the Columbia market from upscale national retailers, including Trader Joe’s, Urban Outfitters and Whole Foods.