After more than 20 years since its products entered the Indian market, Apple is finally opening its first physical stores in the country. The stores, located in Delhi and Mumbai, will be inaugurated later this month, with Apple CEO Tim Cook likely to visit India for the occasion.
The design of the Mumbai store, inspired by the city's iconic black-and-yellow taxis, has generated excitement among Indians. Until now, Apple products were only available in India through online channels or a network of "premium resellers."
The move to sell products directly to customers in India, the world's second-largest smartphone market, may impact the company's fortunes in the country. This move also comes as India is increasingly becoming a manufacturing base for the iPhone. Experts see this move as a significant milestone for Apple's branding strategy, allowing it to offer customers the full Apple experience. There were many hurdles earlier for Apple to enter India, but slowly the company was able to clear one after the other with the Indian government easing certain rules. Although it may not immediately boost the sales, the entry of Apple directly will definitely open a new chapter in India's technological base.
