Apple CEO Tim Cook inaugurated its first official retail store in Indian city Mumbai.
According to details, the store located in Reliance-owned Jio World Drive mall in Mumbai. Apple CEO Tim Cook who inaugurated the store and opened the gates himself.
Also Read: Apple Considering to shift iPad Manufacturing to India
Taking to Twitter, Cook said: “The energy, creativity, and passion in Mumbai is incredible! We are so excited to open … our first store in India.”
The event featured Indian music and folk dancers that followed
Some of the customers waited outside the store overnight despite the products’ availability online.
The store was opened for tech analysts and bloggers on Monday where several Indian media celebrities met with Tim Cook.
In a statement on Monday, the tech behemoth regarded the stores as a “major expansion” of its presence in India.
“We’re excited to build on our longstanding history,” Cook said who is on his first trip to India.
Previously, the California-based tech giant was facing troubles in opening its physical store in India. However, the products were available online. Its online store for the country was opened in 2020.
Now Apple is scheduled to open its second store in New Delhi on Thursday.
Regarding this Apple CEO Tim Cook also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the deputy IT minister later this week.
India hosts the world’s second-largest smartphone users after China. Apple is eyeing to increase its manufacturing footprint in India in order to reduce its supply chain dependence on China.
According to the research firm Canalys, Chinese smartphone makers Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO and Realme had a combined market share of 66% in 2022 while Samsung held a 19% share. Apple’s iPhones had just a 4% share last year.
Canalys analyst Sanyam Chaurasia told media Apple could benefit from the premiumization of India’s smartphone market and financing schemes for both retailers and consumers.
“Apple is emphasizing more on the Indian market because they see more opportunity,” he said.
