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Apple's Flagship Mumbai Store to Open in April, Followed by Second Store in New Delhi

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Apple will open its flagship India retail store in Mumbai next month, after several delays, soon to be followed by another store in New Delhi, reports The Economic Times, citing industry executives.

apple-india.jpg

Located in the Jio World Drive mall and covering 22,000 square feet, the Mumbai store will be a retail landmark similar to Apple stores in Los Angeles, New York, Beijing, and Singapore.

The second, smaller 10,000 to 12,000-square-feet store in New Delhi's Select CityWalk mall is expected to launch in April-June, potentially just a few days after the Mumbai store opening, according to the paper's sources. Apple stared hiring for the stores in January.
"Fitouts are completed for both the stores," the person said. "In fact, the fitout was completed for the Delhi store ahead of the Mumbai one."

"But since Mumbai will be the flagship Apple Store in India, it will open first next month. The Delhi one will open soon after," said the industry executive.
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India has become more important at Apple over the last few years due to the growing demand for Apple products. In 2020 Apple opened its online store in India, offering Indian customers a direct way to purchase products directly from Apple without having to go through an authorized premium reseller.

While most people in India use Android devices, it is the second largest smartphone market in the world and Apple has the potential to make inroads with more affordable product options.

Apple has started producing some iPhone models in India, including the iPhone 14, as it looks to diversify beyond China. Apple supplier Foxconn has invested $500 million in the country to boost production capabilities.

India has been one of the best-performing markets for Apple over the last few years. In the quarter ended December, the company achieved record overall sales in the country. India is also set to be its own sales region within Apple, which will give the country "increased prominence" within the company, according to one report.

Article Link: Apple's Flagship Mumbai Store to Open in April, Followed by Second Store in New Delhi
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/03/20/apple-mumbai-store-opening-april/
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For everyone talking about the Jim World Drive typo... Jim World is where Halpert went after The Office ended, where he will be kept happy and healthy, mugging for cameras livestreaming to Twitch. Pam is there, too, but mainly laments Jim still thinking he's on a mockumentary.
 
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India and Vietnam are Apple's near term (10 year) future. At least so long as relations with the West continue to slide.

Eventually, logistics will follow economics. For now, India and Vietnam make sense due to their proximity to Taiwan and parts suppliers.

Eventually, look for that to shift to Central and South America.


Either way, it's nice to see Apple opening two flagship stores in India. My mother was a secretary at an engineering firm when I was in HS and college (many many moons ago) and they employed quite a few Indian immigrants and workers on visa. I have fond memories of spending time with them as an intern and later stopping in to work to meet mom for lunch when I was a student. Enjoyed spending time them just chatting it up. Always friendly and ready to lend a helping hand. I wish I had stayed in touch with them, but this was pre internet and mom changed jobs.
 
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IIGS User said:
India and Vietnam are Apple's near term (10 year) future. At least so long as relations with the West continue to slide.

Eventually, logistics will follow economics. For now, India and Vietnam make sense due to their proximity to Taiwan and parts suppliers.

Eventually, look for that to shift to Central and South America.


Either way, it's nice to see Apple opening two flagship stores in India. My mother was a secretary at an engineering firm when I was in HS and college (many many moons ago) and they employed quite a few Indian immigrants and workers on visa. I have fond memories of spending time with them as an intern and later stopping in to work to meet mom for lunch when I was a student. Enjoyed spending time them just chatting it up. Always friendly and ready to lend a helping hand. I wish I had stayed in touch with them, but this was pre internet and mom changed jobs.
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I also hope Vietnam will have its first Apple Store soon, they've had iPhone ad campaigns since last year.
 
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vyspirit said:
I also hope Vietnam will have its first Apple Store soon, they've had iPhone ad campaigns since last year.
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I feel as a matter of principle, even if it doesn’t make the most economic sense, that the people who build iPhones should have the opportunity to purchase them. Glad Apple is expanding their footprint to India and Vietnam.
 
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Ion-X said:
I feel as a matter of principle, even if it doesn’t make the most economic sense, that the people who build iPhones should have the opportunity to purchase them. Glad Apple is expanding their footprint to India and Vietnam.
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That is a great point that I have never thought of!
 
ian87w said:
Meanwhile, Apple is still ignoring Indonesia, the largest market in SE Asia.
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Yeah. It really is the same. I just don't want they do what Blackberry did: caring for Indonesia as their market when it's too late for them to care.
 
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I was wondering why it took Apple so long to open B&M stores in such a large potential market, and found this 2018 article from Forbes. While I don't know if Apple now qualifies according to these guidelines (they've been making the iPhone in India since 2018), I guess Apple's decision to move more manufacturing to India was good enough for the Indian gov't to allow Apple to open some stores:

"Though most Indian consumers do not buy smartphones in urban stores, Apple wants to open an official Apple Store there. But it has failed because India requires single-brand retailers that are more than 51% foreign-owned to buy at least 30% of their manufacturing materials from Indian vendors.

Apple makes most iPhone components elsewhere in Asia and has not been able to convince the government to give it a break. The Journal reports that government officials want Apple to invest more in local production and bring more high-tech jobs to India."

www.forbes.com

5 Reasons Apple's India Strategy Is An Epic Fail

Apple's stock is down 28% from its high. Is it now a
www.forbes.com www.forbes.com
 
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