Earlier this year, Apple teased that an Apple Store in India will likely launch this 2023. At that time, people knew it was about to happen, given the clear assurance from the job listings. Now, it's officially confirmed to open "very soon."
Apple BKC is Opening Soon in India
Apple has teased the early design of Apple BKC, the first Apple Store that will soon open in Mumbai, India.
According to a report by AppleInsider on Wednesday, April 5, the Cupertino tech giant has already allowed the viewers to take a preview of the first flagship Apple Store in India.
As the company continues to reach out to more users in the market, it's strategic to establish long-lasting connections with its customers. By building a brick-and-mortar shop, it can improve its visibility in the region so it can attract more buyers in the long run.
Apple BKC, the physical store that will soon open in Mumbai, boasts its storefront design which features the iconic Kaali Peeli taxi art.
As India Retailing says, the unique appearance makes use of combined decals that go well with Apple products and services.
Additionally, you can see that the entrance of the Apple Store is all-white in color. There's a colorful logo of an apple. Below this icon is the name of the store and the "arriving soon" note.
"Hello, Mumbai. We are getting ready to welcome you aboard our first store in India. And raring to see where your creativity takes you at Apple BKC," the official website of Apple India reads.
Apple Could Open More Stores Outside Mumbai
At the time, the iPhone maker remained silent about the official opening date of the Mumbai store. However, earlier reports claimed that it might take place this April.
Aside from that, Apple could open a second shop in the country, particularly in New Delhi. The store will allegedly start to operate between April and June.
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Boosting Apple's Brand Image in India
Although Apple is already an established brand for electronic products, it still needs to compete with other local brands in India, per NDTV.
The launch of the Apple Store in Mumbai did not come easy for the company. The government of India has been strict in regulating the arrival of tech products in the country.
One of the requirements before a foreign firm operates in India is sourcing at least 30% of components and materials from domestic suppliers.
If Apple wants to thrive in the Indian market, it should offer affordable pricing for its products. It also needs to improve its market share to stay in the competition.
Counterpoint Research notes that the iPhone maker had a 4% share of the Indian smartphone market last year. Some popular brands, such as Samsung and Vivo, have larger shares than Apple.
Opening more stores in India will not only bolster Apple's brand image to its customers, but also it can lure more investors and developers into negotiating a business with it.
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