Jobaaj Stories
India has captured the attention of many global players. The commendable growth of India in respect of culture, technology, and the startup ecosystem is driving top leaders to consider the possibilities in the country from a different angle. We can find mentions of India through the mouths of well-known orators.
Apple, well-known for its innovation, state-of-the-art designs, reliability, and growing demand for products has also admired our developing nation. It is one of the reasons why India has witnessed big store openings in two big cities, i.e., Delhi and Mumbai. Responding to the excitement and unforeseen future of Apple Inc. in India, CEO Tim Cook expressed his views.
"India has such incredible energy."
Apple's CEO has praised India for its incredible energy and wishes to work further for the development of local communities, supporting customers, and serving humanity. He also defined Apple’s mission as "enrich lives and empower people around the world". India has become an key focus of the Apple market with its new environmental initiative and a growing community of developers.
CEO Tim Cook has shown a spirit of enthusiasm in the launch of two Apple retail stores in two locations in India. He added that they’re excited to build on the long-standing history, support their customers, and work together for future of innovations.
India has emerged as a significantly growing market for Apple with its new environmental measures and increasing production capabilities.
All Indian supply chain partners have agreed to use 100% clean energy as part of Apple’s aim of being 100% carbon neutral for its products by 2030.
Apple’s Investment in India
Earlier, Apple unveiled its new initiative in collaboration with Frank Water to improve water quality, sanitation, and hygiene-related issues in India.
As part of its $50 million Supplier Employee Development Fund, Apple also introduced educational programming with a focus on women's health in India. It was established in 2022 to educate employees on how to develop skills and promote learning opportunities.
Apart from bringing opportunities and new initiatives to develop the Indian economy, Apple has certainly become a worry for many local businesses.
Worried Retailers!
As per a retailer's view published in First Post, during the time of new launches, difficulties may arise as the customers would prefer to buy from the stores and have expert guidance, which could lead to some difficult situations for them.
Apple retail stores are certainly a unique proposition. They are aesthetically designed and managed by Apple. Where customers will get to experience Apple Retail for the first time, the resellers of small stores are worried.
All India Mobile Retailers Association’s General Secretary, Navneet Pathak, has commented that footfalls might go down to at least 50%–60% during these new launches. Existing users may prefer to visit the store before buying the product. He further added that Apple has not commercialised its plan for general trade.
Overall,it will be a walk-in experience for the customers to have a wide range of premium gadgets.
However, Apple’s move to open premium stores in India has signalled that the market is a high priority. (Wall Street Journal)
Is China losing to India?
Apple has seen a 7% increase in Indian production since March 2023. Apple is working on its plan to move its production facilities from China to India and even Vietnam.
China is the leading producer of Apple products due to its workforce requirement and politically stable environment. But, due to some post-COVID policies, Apple’s faced a lot of impact on production.
In the midst of it, India too made some changes to its labour laws. It further made it feasible for Apple to conduct its business here.
Apple is also planning to conduct its R&D in India, which was previously in China. As per the press release, Apple will highly likely launch its iPhone 15 in India.
Some press releases also mentioned that Apple has reshuffled its international business management to focus more on India.
Make in India, Apple’s campaign
In 2017, Apple started iPhone production in India. Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron, Apple’s associate suppliers, manufactured the iPhone version 14 and some earlier ones. India supplies merely 5% of the world’s iPhones. Apple is likely to increase this figure to 25% and 50% by 2025 and 2027, respectively.
Even officials of this tech giant have stated that there has been a significant double-digit increase in every quarter in terms of iPhone sales in India. There have also been record levels of migration to the iPhone in the nation. According to the company, about 6.5 million units were shipped to India in the last quarter of 2022.
Now with such a booming number of premium purchasers in the country, India is adding remarkable numbers to the company's supply. As mentioned above and also when addressing the press before the planned inauguration of Apple BKC at the Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, Cook mentioned the importance of India as a strategic partner for Apple and the rest of the world.
2023 is already a special year for Apple due to its first retail stores in Mumbai and Delhi. With the growing demand for innovation throughout the world, this could be India’s chance. Now, it’s almost time for the glorious glass doors with their promising aesthetics to get unlocked. The confetti is all set to make India proud of its struggling journey and the entry of new businesses. The stores are influenced by the nearby communities, according to Deirdre O’Brien.
Today, let’s see those colourful interpretations of Indian art in the corridors of Apple BKC. Designs inspired by the Indian city will surely give a defined user experience to the Indian public.
Also Read, Rise in Blinkit Market share after a strike.
