Apple officially revealed it will open its first retail stores in India this month, marking a significant expansion in India as the company seeks growth and refocus manufacturing in the South Asian nation.
Apple BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) will be the first store to launch propping up in Mumbai on April 18, and Apple Saket will follow in Delhi on April 20. Indian customers will be able to browse the latest Apple products and tap into support services.
India is the second largest smartphone market globally behind China, but the technology giant had always been a minority market share holder in the South Asian country due to higher price points on its devices.
Analyst company Counterpoint Research reported Apple was the leading premium vendor with a market share of 60%, towering over rival Samsung which holds 21%. Consumer spending power in India is rising as its middle class increases in size, providing Apple with a customer base.
Apple CEO Tim Cook previously said in an earnings call, the company is “putting a significant amount of energy” into India and that he was “very bullish” on the iPhone maker’s prospects in the market.
According to Bloomberg, Cook himself will preside over the opening of the two retail stores, as India becomes a vital point of manufacturing as well as sales for Apple.
