Apple closes in launching first retail store in India

“Apple Inc. has finalized a short list of locations for its first retail store in India, according to people familiar with the plans, as the company redoubles its efforts in the world’s fastest-growing smartphone market,” Saritha Rai reports for Bloomberg. “The iPhone giant has zeroed in on several upscale sites in Mumbai, and plans to make a final decision in the next few weeks, said the people, asking not to be named because the discussions are private. The vetted spots are comparable to iconic Apple locations on Fifth Avenue in New York, Regent Street in London or the Champs-Elysees in Paris, they said.”
“Apple has been prohibited from opening its own stores in the country because it doesn’t meet local sourcing requirements, but it’s shifting manufacturing into India and is in talks with the government about its retail expansion,” Rai reports. “Manufacturing in India will also allow the company to sidestep 20 percent tariffs on imported phones, making its devices more competitive.”
Rai reports, “The increase in local operations should expedite approval for a company-owned store when a new government takes over in India at the end of May or early June, said the people.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: It’s been a long, difficult slog, so far, but it looks like things are finally about to improve for Apple in India.
SEE ALSO:
India further delays retaliatory import tariffs on U.S. products – April 26, 2019
The global system of trade is being realigned; how investors should navigate globalization’s decline – April 19, 2019
Apple supplier Foxconn to begin iPhone X assembly in India; XS and XS Max also planned – April 12, 2019
Foxconn gearing up for trial run to make Apple’s newest X-class iPhones in India – April 2, 2019
Apple to pull iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models, raise entry prices in sharp India reset – March 14, 2019
Apple, other phone makers seek export incentives and tariff cuts to grow India production – January 25, 2019
Apple to meet with Indian government in Davos to discuss manufacturing in India – December 21, 2018
Apple struggles with iPhone sales in India, the world’s largest untapped market – December 18, 2018
No one wants a ‘cheap’ iPhone: Apple sells premium products – December 10, 2018
Apple appoints Nokia veteran Ashish Chowdhary to lead India operations – November 13, 2018
Here’s Apple’s plan to stop losing in the world’s fastest-growing smartphone market – August 6, 2018
Apple sales execs depart as company flounders in India – July 16, 2018
Made-in-India iPhone 6s production underway as Apple looks to avoid Indian import tax – June 26, 2018
Apple ups iPhone prices in India as government hikes taxes on imported phones – December 18, 2017
India raises import tax on electronic products, including cellphones; move to hurt Apple – December 15, 2017
Apple slashes prices of iPhone 7, iPhone 7 plus, iPhone 6s in India – September 14, 2017
Apple seeks tax breaks for suppliers to make iPhones in India – August 1, 2017
Indian Prime Minister Modi meets with Apple CEO Cook ahead of President Trump today – June 26, 2017
Apple broadens their iPhone attack in India, the world’s second biggest mobile market – June 22, 2017
Apple is making old iPhones new again to win India – June 12, 201
Apple again asks Indian government to allow sale of certified refurbished iPhones in India – February 6, 2017
Indian IT minister says Apple plans to make iPhones in Bengaluru – February 3, 2017
Apple nears deal to manufacture products in India – January 25, 2017
Apple is ready to make iPhones in India, for a price – January 20, 2017
India to consider Apple request for tax breaks and policy exemptions with ‘open mind’ – January 18, 2017
Apple is horse-trading mightily with India – January 4, 2017
Apple appoints veteran executive to revive sluggish India sales as supply issues hamper iPhone X launch – December 19, 2017