Apple is preparing to open its first retail outlets in India 20 years after entering the huge South Asian nation.
Apple said Tuesday it would launch Apple BKC in Mumbai on April 18 and Apple Saket in Delhi on April 20. Apple’s first retail outlets in India have been long-awaited, but India’s restricted market for high-end smartphones and computers has slowed its progress.
India is the second-largest internet market, yet most cell phones are under $250. Nevertheless, apple is optimistic about India’s prospects despite its tiny sales share.
Apple said the new stores “mark a substantial expansion in India that will provide amazing new ways to browse, discover, and buy Apple goods with excellent service and experiences for customers.”
According to job listings, Apple has been actively recruiting for store openings. However, after opening its Indian online store in 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic delayed the company’s first physical presence in 2021.
New Delhi’s incentives for firms to develop in India are helping Apple make India a worldwide hardware manufacturing powerhouse.
In recent quarters, Foxconn and Wistron have boosted local iPhone and Apple device assembly. Last year, JP Morgan analysts predicted Apple would manufacture 25% of iPhones in India by 2025.