Apple, the American tech giant, is doubling down on its presence in India. The company is reportedly planning to open four new retail stores across the country, adding to its existing two in Delhi and Mumbai. These new stores are expected to open in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi-National Capital Region, and Mumbai. This expansion comes after the successful launch of the initial two stores in April 2023, which contributed significantly to Apple’s overall sales in India. Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice-president of retail, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for expanding its Indian operations, highlighting the creativity and passion of customers in the country.
In another major development, Apple has begun producing the entire iPhone 16 lineup, including the Pro and Pro Max models, in India. This production is being undertaken through its contract manufacturing partners, Foxconn and Pegatron. The ‘Made-in-India’ iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models will soon be available for purchase within India and will also be exported to several international markets.
This strategic move reflects Apple’s ambition to further penetrate the Indian market. Reports indicate that Apple expects to ship 12 million to 12.5 million iPhones from India in 2024, representing a 25% increase compared to 2023. Moreover, the company aims to manufacture a quarter of its iPhones in India within the next three to four years, significantly expanding its current manufacturing capacity of 14% in the country. This expansion signifies Apple’s commitment to India as a key manufacturing and sales hub.
