Piracy of software and consumer gadgets in China has always been a big headache for western businesses. Now, reports are emerging that fake Apple stores are springing up in China.

An American blogger, called BirdAbroad, claims that he/she discovered three fake Apple Stores operating in the provincial city of Kunming.

The BirdAbroad blog posted a sleek Apple Store, which looks just like the real one, with similar interior decoration, winding staircases and friendly staff wearing blue T-shirts.

The blog states that the allegedly fake Apple Store appeared to be shoddily constructed and ill lit. On the outside, the store had the words "Apple Stroe" along side the brand's fruit-shaped logo.

It may be noted here that genuine retail stores of the Cupertino, California-based gadget maker never mention “Apple Store” on their front. They just have the iconic symbol.

The Wall Street Journal cited an employee of the alleged fake Apple store saying, "It doesn't make much of a difference for us whether we're authorized or not. I just care that what I sell every day are authentic Apple products, and that our customers don't come back to me to complain about the quality of the products."

While Apple has so far refused to comment on the existence of the fake Apple stores in China, some people are of the view that the alleged fake Apple store in Kunming might simply be part of Apple's authorized network of resellers.