I
ndia is beginning to look like a modern-day promised land for a slew of Android device manufacturers seeking Apple or Samsung-rivaling global market share numbers, and Cupertino will soon employ its own special strategies of expansion and brand consolidation.
No, iPhones are not to be built locally as part of the “Make in India” initiative, but instead, brick and mortar Apple Stores should at long last open in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Only six such iconic retail locations will be launched as a test drive in the coming weeks, five in the former city and one in the latter, though more are definitely to follow suit before long.
Wondering why on Earth were iDevices previously sold squarely by “premium” resellers organized under the franchise model, as well as various electronics retail chains and other third-party vendors? In a nutshell, because of intricate bureaucratic reasons.
CEO Tim Cook himself recently tried to clear that hurdle, but ultimately, Apple found a simple workaround, and formed an alliance with local consumer electronics institution Croma. Owned by $100 billion+ evaluated multinational conglomerate Tata Group, this will rent out 400 to 500 square feet spaces, and help equip and decorate them after the easily recognizable US model.
That means all the furniture, fixtures and lighting shall very closely resemble the interior design of all 460 Apple Stores operated in 17 countries worldwide, more than half of which are available to American iFans.
It’s worth pointing out that even without official physical stores, Cupertino managed to sell 1.7 million iPhones in India between October 2014 and September 2015, up from 1.1 mil the previous year. Obviously, the sky is the limit for what the 6s and 6s Plus can do starting October 16 in the growingly fertile mobile region.
Source: The Times of India
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