Apple launches online store app in India to extend focus beyond major cities

Apple has taken a significant step in expanding its presence in India by launching a dedicated Apple Store app. This move is aimed at deepening its retail footprint in the world’s most populous country and tapping into the growing demand for Apple products.  

Available for download on India’s App Store, the app allows users to directly purchase Apple products while offering personalized shopping recommendations tailored to their preferences.

The app provides a range of features designed to enhance the customer experience, such as the ability to customize Macs with more powerful chips, additional memory, or extra storage — requests that have long been popular among Indian consumers.  

Users can also arrange for delivery or pickup of their purchases, making it more convenient for customers across the country to shop for Apple products. This launch is part of Apple’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its position in India, where the company has seen rising demand for its devices.

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Expanding Apple’s Retail reach across India

The launch of the Apple Store app comes as part of Apple’s larger efforts to expand its retail presence in India. In 2023, the company opened its first physical Apple stores in Mumbai and Delhi. Looking ahead, Apple plans to open four additional stores in key tech hubs like Bengaluru, Pune, and other parts of Delhi and Mumbai. These new stores, combined with the app, will enable Apple to reach even more customers in cities and towns beyond its current reach.

Apple’s entry into India’s growing market is also about positioning itself for long-term growth. India, now the world’s second-largest smartphone market, presents significant opportunities for Apple to increase its share and cater to the country’s large consumer base. The company first launched its online store in India in 2020, marking an important move toward broadening its retail footprint in the country.

Enhancing customer experience with new features

The Apple Store app is designed with a user-friendly interface, featuring separate tabs for products, personalized recommendations, and post-purchase support. It also allows customers to book online setup sessions with Apple specialists, further enhancing the customer experience. The app gives users the option to sign up for free training sessions at physical Apple stores, where they can learn about Apple’s products and services. Additionally, users can access information on trade-in options, financing plans, and even personalize their devices by adding free engravings to products like AirPods and iPads, available in eight languages.

This focus on customer-centric services is a key part of Apple’s strategy in India, as the company aims to build lasting relationships with users and provide more localized services.

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Apple’s growing manufacturing footprint in India

Apple’s expansion in India goes beyond just retail. The company has been steadily increasing its local manufacturing presence in the country, with iPhone assembly starting in India in 2017. Since then, Apple has expanded production in partnership with Foxconn and Indian conglomerate Tata.

This move is part of Apple’s strategy to diversify its supply chain and reduce its reliance on China for manufacturing. As Apple continues to ramp up its local production, the company is positioning India as a crucial hub for both manufacturing and sales, with plans for further growth in the coming years.