Apple Bringing Online Store to India on September 23

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced that it plans to open its online store in India on Wednesday, September 23, providing customers located in India with a way to purchase iPhones, Macs, iPads, and more directly from Apple.

"We're proud to be expanding in India and want to do all we can to support our customers and their communities," said Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail + People. "We know our users are relying on technology to stay connected, engage in learning, and tap into their creativity, and by bringing the Apple Store online to India, we are offering our customers the very best ofApple at this important time."

Apple's online store will also feature Apple Specialists able to help with ordering products and setting up new devices, with customers able to get help in English and Hindi.

With the store, Apple will introduce financing options and a trade-in program, along with EDU pricing for students. Starting in October, Apple will also host free online Today at Apple sessions led by local Creative Pros with a focus on photography and music.

Apple has long had a presence in India, which is an important market for the Cupertino company, but device sales have been done through third-party resellers because of restrictions imposed on foreign companies that require 30 percent of production to be done locally.

India in August 2019 relaxed the rules, providing a way for Apple to operate an online store in the country. Apple also intends to open up retail stores in the future, and there are already retail locations in the works.

Article Link: Apple Bringing Online Store to India on September 23

 

[btrach144]

It blows my mind that Apple hasn’t had an online store in the second most populous country in the world.

 

[apparatchik]

It blows my mind that Apple hasn’t had an online store in the second most populous country in the world.

Its crazy that it hasnt, also India its about to become the most populous within the next decade... 2.5x China’s birth rate

 

[ian87w]

It blows my mind that Apple hasn’t had an online store in the second most populous country in the world.

Apple has long had a presence in India, which is an important market for the Cupertino company, but device sales have been done through third-party resellers because of restrictions imposed on foreign companies that require 30 percent of production to be done locally.

Good job Apple.
Next stop, the fourth most populous country in the world, Indonesia.

 

[m4mario]

Finally. About time Apple. Also work out a scheme with Modi to lower the ridiculous taxes.

 

[sakurarain]

When my colleague told me several years that there is no Apple Store in Inida and Russia, i was really surprised.

 

[Blackstick]

I'm assuming the products are astronomically expensive over there?

 

[PickUrPoison]

I’m not surprised in the least it’s finally happening. But I was surprised last year when India finally decided to allow it.

It’ll be nice to have retail stores too, though it’s not all that important at the moment since they’d probably be closed anyway.

 

[kerr]

is there any way to determine which countries have an online store and which do not?

 

[ajgash]

I love the intentional design choices Apple makes. They could have just said, "Apple Store coming to India." Instead, we have a really cool illustration that's full of "hidden" apple products and icons. Really neat!

 

[newyorksole]

They started manufacturing in India within the last few years, said they’d open up retail stores and now have an online store.

Making big progress in India.

 

[CarlJ]

It blows my mind that Apple hasn’t had an online store in the second most populous country in the world.

If I understand correctly, I think that’s more on the Indian government than on Apple.

 

[btrach144]

If I understand correctly, I think that’s more on the Indian government than on Apple.

Yes and no. Apple knew that they had to make 30% of the products sold in India, in India. They just dragged their feet for a decade plus.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

This is big news. Under the radar big news. Wall Street soon to take notice

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Finally! 😁

Custom build Macs and AppleCare+ surprisingly. Neat!

Still gonna get the S6 through Amazon though, as I have a gift card to exhaust lol.
Probably will use the site when upgrading to 12s in December.

 

[bb9]

Apple today announced that it plans to open its online store in India on Wednesday, September 23, providing customers located in India with a way to purchase iPhones, Macs, iPads, and more directly from Apple.

Apple's online store will also feature Apple Specialists able to help with ordering products and setting up new devices, with customers able to get help in English and Hindi.

With the store, Apple will introduce financing options and a trade-in program, along with EDU pricing for students. Starting in October, Apple will also host free online Today at Apple sessions led by local Creative Pros with a focus on photography and music.

Apple has long had a presence in India, which is an important market for the Cupertino company, but device sales have been done through third-party resellers because of restrictions imposed on foreign companies that require 30 percent of production to be done locally.

India in August 2019 relaxed the rules, providing a way for Apple to operate an online store in the country. Apple also intends to open up retail stores in the future, and there are already retail locations in the works.

Article Link: Apple Bringing Online Store to India on September 23

That is a very nice front page design. 👏👏

 

[iSayuSay]

Good job Apple.
Next stop, the fourth most populous country in the world, Indonesia.

Same old ruling with India, local production regulation prevents Apple to independently operates in some of these countries.

Instead Apple has to operate and sell under a local, 3rd party “authorized premium reseller” which is a separate entity that actually has nothing to do with Apple.

So the consumer experience is obviously worse, despite their pathetic effort to emulate Apple experience.

 

[catean]

Next country Romania, please Apple. Part of E.U. and still without at least an online store.

 

[krammymark]

is there any way to determine which countries have an online store and which do not?

One way is to download the Apple Store app.
The countries are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

 

[savink]

Finally. The issue was not just high prices at resellers, but also of unavailability of high end configurations. Thankfully via apple store we can configure and order the configuration for our needs.

 

[MaestroX1]

I'm assuming the products are astronomically expensive over there?

Usually yes, but not always. I think iPads (Base and Air) and Macbook Air's are closer to their US pricing after taxes. iPhones and other Macbooks, OTOH are terribly expensive.

 

[ghanwani]

I'm assuming the products are astronomically expensive over there?

You can check prices here:

Apple (India)

Discover the innovative world of Apple and shop everything iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, plus explore accessories, entertainment, and expert device support.

www.apple.com

At current exchange rate $1 = Rs. 73.61

iPhone SE - $577 (US price $399)
iPad Air - $745 (US price $599)
MBA - $1263 (US price $999)

 

[0924487]

Its crazy that it hasnt, also India its about to become the most populous within the next decade... 2.5x China’s birth rate

That shows how underdeveloped India is.

For Apple's online store to work, you need good infrastructures across the entire country, such as broadband internet, fast, reliable and cost-effective domestic shipping that covers the entire country. You will also need good channels for online fraud prevention, which is a big problem in India not just domestically. Scammers from India are literally scamming the world.

For the online store to be successful, you need a ready market. The mass population should be at least pretty much all literate, and digitally literate, which India doesn't have. There should be a significant middle and upper class measured in the American purchasing power standard, not PPP because Apple products have globally standard pricing, at least before tax. Apple products will not be cheaper in India than in the US in FX dollars, so the nominal dollar, in this case, equals PPP-adjusted dollar.

Most of the people that meet the above criteria are located in the rich part of India, aka., the affluent half of the big cities, which already have physical retail channels.

For physical Apple Stores to work in India, currently India has none, there must be urban clusters in India that will buy the upper-end of the premium device lineups, such as Mac Pro, iPad Pro, Thunderbolt display (with the stand), AirPods Pro, etc. Products like the entry-level basic iPad, iPhone SE, MacBook Air without retina display, etc. will not generate enough profit for Apple to operate physical Apple Stores, which are expensive to keep.

 

[ilikewhey]

This is big news. Under the radar big news. Wall Street soon to take notice

Doubt the stocks will climb because of this, wishful thinking

 

[LeeW]

I am sure this is more related to the new manufacturing facilities that have been set up there.