Survey on The First Apple Stores in India

Apple CEO Tim Cook has decided to expand operations beyond China and into India. The store, which is expected to be located in Mumbai, will give Indian customers direct access to Apple products, services, and support.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has been vocal about the company’s interest in India, citing the country’s “huge potential” as a critical factor in its decision to expand into the market. India has a population of over 1.4 billion people, making it one of the world’s largest markets. Notably, India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market.

However, Apple has historically struggled to make significant advances in the country due to regulatory barriers and a lack of physical retail presence.

India’s First Apple Store: Haven for Tech Enthusiasts or an Overpriced Boutique for the Rich?

But what can we expect from India’s first-ever Apple Store? Will it be a shining beacon of technological wonder or just another overpriced boutique for rich people to flaunt their wealth?

One thing’s for sure: the store will probably be packed with all the latest Apple gadgets, from iPhones and iPads to MacBooks and Apple Watches. Not to mention all the Apple accessories, like AirPods and Beats headphones, that will undoubtedly be on display.

But more than that, the opening of India’s first Apple Store represents a major shift in the company’s global strategy. With sales slowing in China, Apple is now turning its attention to India.

Apple Looks to India Amidst China’s Crackdown and Supply Chain Concerns

One of the main reasons Apple is looking to expand beyond China is due to the current events happening in the country. The investment is one of Foxconn’s, a major manufacturer of iPhone components, biggest single outlays to date in India and underscores how China’s at risk of losing its status as the world’s largest producer of consumer electronics.

Due to Covid-related disruptions and poor work-relating conditions that prompted protests, output at the Zhengzhou plant dropped ahead of the year-end holidays, prompting Apple to review its China-dependent supply chain. The latest action by Foxconn suggests that suppliers may shift capacity out of China much more quickly than anticipated.

Additionally, Apple is betting on India to diversify its assembly operations beyond China amid strained Beijing-Washington relations.

Apple and other American companies are relying on their Chinese suppliers to look into alternative countries like Vietnam and India. The pandemic and the war in Ukraine have accelerated a rethink of the global supply chain that could alter how electronics are produced globally.

Conclusion

Of course, Apple still has plenty of challenges to overcome in India, including fierce competition from local smartphone makers and a regulatory environment that can be difficult to navigate. But with the opening of its first store in Mumbai, Apple is sending a clear signal that it’s committed to winning over Indian consumers.

Real Research, an online survey app, launched a survey on the first Apple stores in India to gather public perceptions on Apple making India its next China. Hurry and answer the survey on the first Apple stores in India on the Real Research app from April 16, 2023, and win 60 TNCs as a reward.