Apple is planning to open a series of Apple Stores in Germany, with the first shop coming on stream before the end of the year.

So claimed Archibald Horlitz, head of German reseller Gravis, in an interview with local business newspaper the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung this week. The move is "99.9 per cent" certain, he said.

According to the paper's report, Apple Germany is looking at retail locations in Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin and possibly Frankfurt, too.

To date in Europe, Apple has only opened stores in the UK, but it is known to be planning to open a retail venture in Rome. A variety of Apple-branded stores - typically called Apple Centres - are maintained by the Mac maker's reseller partners throughout the continent.

Horlitz said he welcomed the move, which he said would "increase the visibility of Apple in Germany". ®