Skip to main content

Apple says first retail store in India ‘will take us some time’

Apple is working to bring its online and brick-and-mortar retail experience to India, but creating a plan that lives up to Apple’s standards for location and design is an intensive process that can’t happen overnight. In a statement released Thursday, Apple said that plans for India’s first official Apple Store “will take us some time.”

In a report on August 28, Bloomberg noted that Apple was preparing to begin online sales of iPhones in India within months, thanks to the easing of a rule that previously required companies to source 30% of production locally. The report also suggested that Apple was exploring options throughout Mumbai for its first brick-and-mortar store, with a plan to open in 2020.

Apple issued a statement confirming its plan to bring the Apple retail experience to India, saying it will have more to announce in the future:

We love our customers in India and we’re eager to serve them online and in-store with the same experience and care that Apple customers around the world enjoy. We appreciate the support and hard work by Prime Minister Modi and his team to make this possible, and we look forward to one day welcoming customers to India’s first Apple retail store. It will take us some time to get our plans under way, and we’ll have more to announce at a future date.

India’s sourcing requirements have plagued Apple for years as iPhone sales fell in the country, and Apple Stores continued to rise in other new markets. The ability to sell online without a physical retail presence in India is a significant first step in the right direction, but an official brick-and-mortar store will help solidify the Apple brand in the hearts and minds of customers.

Modern Apple Stores, especially flagship locations, have grown far beyond simple product showrooms. From planning and construction through grand opening, recent projects often taken multiple years to complete. Apple’s statement today is unsurprising, but clarifies that the urgency to expand in India won’t compromise location choice and design.

Follow 9to5Mac’s retail guide for in-depth coverage of the latest Apple Store news.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Jamf
You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

Comments

Author

Avatar for Michael Steeber Michael Steeber

Michael is a Creative Editor who covered Apple Retail and design on 9to5Mac. His stories highlighted the work of talented artists, designers, and customers through a unique lens of architecture, creativity, and community.

Contact Michael on Twitter to share Apple Retail, design, and history stories: @MichaelSteeber

Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications