Tata Group is gearing up to open 100 exclusive Apple stores in India. These 500 to 600 sq ft Apple stores will extend across the country.
According to a report by Economic Times, Tata Group will open small, exclusive Apple stores across India. In line with this, Apple is teaming up with Tata Group’s Infiniti Retail.
To those unaware, Infiniti Retail runs the retail chain of consumer electronics, Croma. Notably, the report cites two people familiar with the matter.
So, Infiniti Retail will soon become an Apple franchisee partner. As part of this collaboration, Tata Group will reportedly open 100 stores.
These stores will be located in malls and other prominent places. The American tech giant is prepping to open its first flagship store in Mumbai.
This Apple-owned flagship store is likely to open in Mumbai in Q1 of 2023. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly prepping to triple its iPhone production in India.
Tata Group To Open Exclusive Apple Stores In India
Also, Apple has been working on the company-owned store since 2019. However, it was reportedly delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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The report claims the Apple Premium Reseller stores won’t be as big as Apple Premium Reseller stores. Ideally, the Apple Premium Reseller stores are over 1,000 square feet.
However, these stores will be about 500 to 600 square feet each in India. You will be able to buy Apple Watch, iPads, and iPhones from the smaller stores.
Apple is reportedly planning to ditch the iPad Mini series in 2025. So, Apple could introduce with foldable iPad lineup.Ā Moreover, the larger format stores will comprise the entire Apple range. There are 160 Apple Premium Reseller stores in India at the moment.
Also, Tata is currently looking for high streets and premium malls to open Apple stores. A retail consultant claims the lease terms have details about the brands and stores that will be restricted from opening near these outlets.
India has turned out to be an important market for Apple in the past couple of years. Also, Apple sold nearly 12 million iPhones in Q2 of 2022. This piece of information comes from a report by Cybermedia Research.