On April 19th, Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook inaugurated the first Apple retail store in India, located at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai’s bustling financial, arts, and entertainment district. Thousands of Apple fans and customers were in attendance, celebrating the opening of the much-awaited store with lively beats from a local Nashik dhol. This event marks an important step in Apple’s efforts to establish a presence in the rapidly expanding Indian market.
Industry experts were tremendously satisfied with the massive turnout to the BKC store and believe that this, combined with the up-and-coming store in Delhi, will bring in hundreds of millions of potential users in the coming years. Building strong trust and brand equity through exemplary retail experience is key for Apple to successfully capture the Indian market.
Neil Shah, Vice President of Research for Counterpoint Research, commented on the response and noted how Cook’s direct interaction with potential customers was the finishing touch on the event. Apple shipped $7.5 billion worth of iPhones and iPads to India in FY22-23 and, as the local manufacturing push continues, the tech giant is likely to more than double its revenue in the next financial year, with more than 8 million iPhones sold.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is set to commemorate the upcoming flagship store in New Delhi, located at the Select CityWalk mall in Saket. Cook has praised India and its people time and time again and his enthusiasm for the expanding market is reflected in Apple’s efforts to make a lasting impact in the region.
Apart from its focus on retail, Apple has also announced plans for various other initiatives in India, indicating the company’s commitment to strengthening ties with the country. From selling refurbished iPhones to setting up Apple Developer Academies and partnering with local startups, the tech giant has been signifying its intentions to establish itself firmly in the Indian market in the coming years.