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| Apple opens its first retail store in Mumbai, India, aiming to expand its retail push in the country's growing premium smartphone market. |
Introduction
Apple CEO Tim Cook has opened the company's first retail store in India, located in the financial capital Mumbai. The store's design was inspired by the city's black-and-yellow taxis, and it is located in an upscale neighborhood. Cook also greeted customers and posed for selfies with some of them.
Expansion in India
Apple is trying to deepen its retail push in India, the world's second-largest smartphone market. Until now, Apple products have been available in India either online or through a vast network of resellers. The new stores come at a time when Apple is trying to expand its presence in India's growing premium smartphone market, which refers to mobiles that cost 40,000 rupees (£451; $558) or more.
Impact on Sales
Experts say that while the stores are an important branding strategy, they won't have an immediate impact on Apple's sales in India. However, it is a good time for Apple to invest in India's premium smartphone market. When you launch an Apple store, you're basically giving a premium experience to your premium consumers. It might not pull up sales, but it definitely pulls more people into the Apple ecosystem.
Apple's Manufacturing Base in India
India is also rising as a manufacturing base for the iPhone as Apple diversifies its supply chains away from China. India now accounts for 5% of total iPhone production.
Cook's Visit to India
This is Cook's first trip to India in seven years. He last visited in 2016 when the tech giant was just beginning to scale up operations in the country. Cook is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar as part of his visit.
Conclusion
The opening of Apple's first retail store in India is a significant step for the company's expansion in the country. While it may not have an immediate impact on sales, it is an important branding strategy that will attract more customers to the Apple ecosystem.
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