India BKC in Mumbai. Image source: Apple
Apple sets up first shop in India as part of retail push
After 25 years of operation in India, this marked the US tech giant’s first official store in the country.
Apple has set up its first retail stores in India last week, one located in its capital New Delhi and another in its most populated city of Mumbai, as the iPhone maker boosts presence in the world’s fifth largest economy.
Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook inaugurated on Tuesday the grand opening of Apple BKC, located in Bandra Kurla Complex, a business district in Mumbai, to mark the company's first-ever shop in the country. A second branch in New Delhi was opened two days later.
“India has such a beautiful culture and an incredible energy, and we’re excited to build on our long-standing history,” Cook said in a statement.
The US tech giant launched its official online shop Apple Store in India in September 2020 as part of its retail push.
Apple has also been ramping up its manufacturing operations in the country. It started assembling its flagship iPhone 14 model in the subcontinent late last September.
Apple was reportedly looking to boost its iPhone production in the country to about 25% of its overall output from just 5% to 7% currently, according to a statement made by India’s trade and industry minister, Piyush Goyal, quoted in media reports in January.
The company has been operating in India for over 25 years.
