Two expat entrepreneurs – one an expert on Apple, the other on Microsoft – have created a new IT retail concept in Vietnam.

Their first store has opened in the Ho Chi Minh City suburb District 2, popular with expats, one of its unique selling points it specialises in both Microsoft and Apple.

ITM was founded in 2009 in Saigon by Dominique Gallo, a French auto-entrepreneur who specialised in IT solutions.  ITM was originally founded to provide IT support and equipment to professionals. After a rapid growth, it extended into the home-users market, specialising in Microsoft products.

Meanwhile, Brian Caleda, an Apple expert, had founded iKnow. Caleda was part of the team that opened the Apple Store at the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki where he served as the lead for corporate sales for that location. He moved to Saigon and opened iKnow in late 2010, offering quality training and tutorials for adults on how to use their Apple devices in a more practical sense; and for kids on how to be more creative with the technology.

After deciding to add hardware and software support services and iKnow opened its first physical shop in March 2011.

Move to a common shop

Now, the pair have decided to merge their businesses, opening a common shop to provide quality IT products and services with complementary skills and knowledge.

“The merger of ITM and iKnow in one shop implies keeping the products and services of each brands – Apple products, iPhones, iMacs, iPads, MacBooks and Apple accessories from all generations,” the apri said in a a statement.

“The shop will also have the ITM catalog: PCs & laptops, accessories – from keyboards, mouses, USB keys to printers – audio accessories with latest earphones, headphones or speakers but also multimedia and home equipment. A whole collection of gaming accessories will be available with a special selection of Razer products.”

The shop will formally open on September 28 at 94 Xuan Thuy, District 2, HCMC.