Apple today confirmed that it plans to open two new retail outlets in the UK next year, and said other European stores were in the works. At a media event today at the London Apple Store opening, Apple’s senior vice president of retail Ron Johnson confirmed the company will be opening new stores in Birmingham at the Bullring retail complex and in Kent at the Bluewater shopping center. “We want to open as soon as possible,” Johnson said, confirming the company to be “working closely in Europe” to open additional stores there.