Apple’s first India store to open in Mumbai’s bustling financial hub

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Apple is set to open its first official retail store in India soon, a significant move for the technology giant that is placing major bets on the South Asian country for everything from manufacturing to sales.

To celebrate the opening of the new store, visitors can download the new Apple BKC wallpaper and move to the sounds of Mumbai with a specially curated playlist on Apple Music. The exact opening date of the Apple Store in India is not revealed but we believe it could happen before the end of this month, April.

The store, located in the posh shopping mall of billionaire Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai’s financial capital, is situated in the city’s primary business district alongside multinational banks. Apple has released a photo of the barricade of the store but hasn’t announced an opening date yet.

The launch underlines Apple’s drive to expand in India, which is poised to overtake China as the world’s most populous country this year. The company is targeting India’s growing middle class, which is an attractive consumer base for its pricey smartphones and computers. Apple is also increasing its manufacturing operations in the country, and building a store in the capital city of New Delhi.

Based on earlier reports, the first Apple Store in Jio World Drive Mall will have over 22,000 square feet. The Cupertino giant started hiring for several posts for retail stores in India back in January. The company is apparently planning on openings its second store, which will spread across 10,000 to 12,000 square feet in New Delhi’s Select CityWalk mall. The second Apple retail store in India is expected to be open sometime in June 2023. We’re curious to see what design inspiration will Apple take for the Delhi store.

Apple has reshuffled the management of its international businesses to put a greater focus on India this year, where online sales helped it report record revenue in the quarter to December. CEO Tim Cook has emphasized the company’s commitment to the market and compared its work in India to its early years in China.

The Indian government’s local manufacturing push, financial incentives, and lower labor costs have encouraged key Taiwanese supplier partners like Foxconn Technology, Pegatron, and Wistron to ramp up iPhone production in the country. Apple’s increased presence in India will also create more job opportunities and boost the economy.

Apple’s increased focus on India is expected to benefit both the technology giant and the country’s economy as a whole.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s local manufacturing push, financial incentives and India’s relatively cheaper labor have led its key Taiwanese supplier partners Foxconn Technology, Pegatron and Wistron to ramp up iPhone production in the country.