Apple readies opening of its first retail store in India

Apple is gearing up to open its first retail store in India to the public later this month, roughly two decades after the company began selling products and services in the South Asian nation that has grown to become the second-largest internet market.

The iPhone-maker on Wednesday released a picture of the barricade of its first retail store in India, called Apple BKC, situated at Jio World Drive Mall in the country’s financial capital of Mumbai.

“Inspired by the iconic Kaali Peeli taxi art unique to Mumbai, the Apple BKC creative includes colourful interpretations of the decals combined with many Apple products and services that will be available for our customers to discover,” Apple said in a statement.

Apple also plans to launch its second India store somewhere in New Delhi in the coming quarters.

Apple has been aggressively hiring employees for its stores in India in recent months, according to recruitment posts. The company, which launched its online store in India in 2020, had initially planned to debut the first retail outlet in 2021 but delayed those plans after COVID struck.

India, the world’s second-largest smartphone market, currently contributes little to Apple’s topline, but the iPhone maker has said in the past that it’s bullish about its prospects in the country.

Apple’s contract manufacturing partners, Foxconn and Wistron, have ramped up local assembling for iPhone and other Apple gadgets in India in recent quarters. In a report last year, JP Morgan analysts estimated that Apple would expand its manufacturing capacity in India to produce 25% of all iPhones by 2025.