In 2023, Apple opened its inaugural retail stores in Mumbai and Delhi, marking the company’s first foray into Indian retail. Following this, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced plans for further expansion, indicating four additional stores will be established across the country nearly two years after the original openings. Further details regarding these forthcoming stores have yet to be disclosed by the company.
New Apple Store Locations Planned for Mumbai and Bengaluru
According to a report by The Financial Express, Apple is set to establish new retail outlets at the Sky City Mall in Borivali, Mumbai, and at the Phoenix Mall of Asia in Yelahanka, Bengaluru. The report cites unnamed sources suggesting that recruitment for staff at these locations has been ongoing for several months. These two sites are part of the four new locations planned for Apple’s expansion in India.
Last month, it was revealed that Apple had confirmed locations for additional stores at Kopa Mall in Pune and at the DLF Mall of India in Noida. During that time, the company was also scouting for two more locations in Mumbai and Bengaluru.
The upcoming retail outlets are anticipated to be part of the next phase in Apple’s retail growth strategy within the country. The first Apple Store, known as Apple BKC, was launched in Mumbai in April 2023, followed by the store in Delhi, named Apple Saket.
Despite its smaller size compared to Apple BKC, the Apple Saket store is reportedly commanding a 60 percent share of sales. If the report holds true, Apple would then operate two stores in Mumbai (BKC and Borivali) and two in the Delhi-NCR region (Saket and Noida).
Apple’s recent initiatives indicate a strategic focus on the Indian market, encompassing not only a broadened retail presence but also an increase in the assembly of products within the country. This move aims to diversify the supply chain and lessen dependency on China. Additionally, Apple has begun exporting iPhone models assembled in India to the United States, particularly following the imposition of tariffs on products from China under the previous U.S. administration.
