Apple Opens Its First Store In India

Chief Executive Tim Cook inaugurated the store!


Mumbai: Early on Tuesday, 18 April 2023, about 200 Apple fans entered the tech giant's first retail store in India and gathered outside the store in Mumbai.

People came from different parts of the country to catch a glimpse of Chief Executive Tim Cook, who is set to inaugurate the 28,000-sq-foot (2,600-sq-m) store later in the day; and open it to the public.

"The vibe is so special in the store," said 23-year-old Aan Shah, who travelled from Ahmedabad to attend the launch of the new outlet.

"It is not like buying from some normal outlet. There is just no comparison of this. It is breathtaking."

He opened stores in New York and Boston, where he once got a chance to meet Cook.

Previously, Apple faced difficulty in opening physical retail stores in the country.

Its products have been available on e-commerce websites; since its online store opened in 2020.

The new store, located in the premier Reliance-owned Jio World Drive mall, underscores Apple's growing ambitions for India, where, despite a market share of just 3%, it has been expanding iPhone assembly via contract manufacturers boosting its exports.

On Monday, the store was opened for bloggers and tech analysts at a private event, while film and television celebrities were also seen meeting Cook at the event.

A second store in Delhi will open on Thursday.

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