Apple Overhauling International Sales to Focus More on India

[MacRumors]

Apple is changing the way that its international businesses are managed in order to focus more attention on India, reports Bloomberg.

India is set to be its own sales region within Apple, which will give the country "increased prominence" within the company. India has become more important at Apple over the last few years due to the growing demand for Apple products. Though most people in India use Android devices, it is the second largest smartphone market in the world and Apple has the potential to make inroads with more affordable product options.

Apple is planning to move India to its own sales region following the retirement of Hughes Asseman, the vice president in charge of India, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, East Europe, and Africa. Ashish Chowdhary will become head of India, and will report directly to Apple's head of product sales. Though India will become more of a focus within Apple, regional sales reports will continue to group India with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Apple has started producing some iPhone models in India, including the iPhone 14, as it looks to diversify beyond China. Apple supplier Foxconn has invested $500 million in the country to boost production capabilities.

There are no physical Apple retail locations in India right now, but Apple has been working to open stores in Mumbai and New Delhi for years now. Apple stared hiring for the stores in January, which suggests they could open in the near future.

Customers in India can purchase Apple devices online, as Apple has been operating an online store in India since 2020.

Article Link: Apple Overhauling International Sales to Focus More on India

 

[steve09090]

This makes a lot of sense. Apple have invested in India quite heavily and that should kick start a massive market shift.

 

[RalfTheDog]

I think that at least some of it is because, China is becoming much less of a factor.

 

[v0lume4]

India has become more important at Apple over the last few years due to the growing demand for Apple products. Though most people in India use Android devices, it is the second largest smartphone market in the world and Apple has the potential to make inroads with more affordable product options.

I don’t live in India so perhaps someone can chime in with an on-the-ground report of the market there.

More affordable product options? Apple’s “affordable” iPhone is the SE which is inferior in nearly every regard to a handset at that same price point from another manufacturer.

My questions: How much weight does the Apple brand carry in India? Do the consumers there care more about name/image and iOS, or value? Because if the answer is the latter, Apple has no ground to realistically gain in that market.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I know it’s going to take some time. But this is the label I want to see from Apple. Preferably on all Apple Products! It's time Apple leaves China behind. 🇨🇳🙅‍♀️

 

[v0lume4]

I know it’s going to take some time. But this is the label I want to see from Apple. Preferably on all Apple Products! It's time Apple leaves China behind.

Is that a real picture from the 14 Pro? If so, I didn’t realize they were making some of those in India.

 

[Realityck]

I think that at least some of it is because, China is becoming much less of a factor.

They still have a lot of wealth compared to India. Also compare all the modern cities in China and their infrastructure, how is India in comparison.

 

[ian87w]

So, another decade will go by for Apple to ignore my country, Indonesia, the largest market in SE Asia. *sigh

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Is that a real picture from the 14 Pro? If so, I didn’t realize they were making some of those in India.

Yes, this is the real picture. Many people reported they received their iPhones with, a "Made in India" label. Furthermore, it was also reported back in September 2022 that Apple is manufacturing the iPhone 14's in India.

Apple Begins Manufacturing iPhone 14 in India

Apple has begun manufacturing the iPhone 14 in India, the company has confirmed in a statement, with locally made models expected to be sold later...

www.macrumors.com

Apple wants to manufacture 25% of its iPhones in India, minister says

India's minister of commerce and industry said Apple is looking to make 25% of all iPhones in India, up from between 5%-7% currently.

www.cnbc.com

 

[sherwinzadeh]

Android holds 80% marketshare outside of the U.S.
Apple needs to overhaul International sales to focus on International sales.

 

[RalfTheDog]

They still have a lot of wealth compared to India. Also compare all the modern cities in China and their infrastructure, how is India in comparison.

Because of China's limited for the moment support of Russia against Ukraine, many companies are moving away from their reliance on the Chinese market and Chinese manufacturing. It's not an instant transition, but it is one they are willing to make. Corporations just don't trust China or Russia anymore.

 

[mozumder]

You basically have to bribe people to do anything in India. How is Apple supposed to do anything with that kind of corruption?

 

[blazerunner]

India was meeting less than half of Apple's quality control requirements recently. Either India has to do A LOT better or Apple will need to pull out. There's no room for mediocrity from India's manufacturing.

 

[Brad7]

I’ve been researching this and can confirm there is huge demand for Apple products within India. The only thing that’s standing in the way are the high tariffs for goods made outside India. Tim Cook is fixing this with domestic production. Apple market share is about to skyrocket in India. The naysayers will be proven wrong.

 

[ian87w]

Because of China's limited for the moment support of Russia against Ukraine, many companies are moving away from their reliance on the Chinese market and Chinese manufacturing. It's not an instant transition, but it is one they are willing to make. Corporations just don't trust China or Russia anymore.

Nah, it’s more about the rising cost of manufacturing in China and the bad experience of halted logistics during the severe lockdowns. Companies don’t care about politics, but they do care when their logistics grinds to a halt, losing them big money.

India has its shares of political issues.

 

[ian87w]

I’ve been researching this and can confirm there is huge demand for Apple products within India. The only thing that’s standing in the way are the high tariffs for goods made outside India. Tim Cook is fixing this with domestic production. Apple market share is about to skyrocket in India. The naysayers will be proven wrong.

You are half correct. Apple manufacturing in India is to reduce cost and increase profit by sidestepping the tariffs. That doesn’t mean actual price decrease for consumers. Apple market share will not change, while their margins increases. That’s Tim Cook’s real goal.

 

[Kottu]

Soon we going to see people selling off body parts to afford an iPhone even in India.

Many indian youths are obsessed to buy gadgets. Things are not the same as it was 25-30 years ago.

 

[75Batt]

Android holds 80% marketshare outside of the U.S.
Apple needs to overhaul International sales to focus on International sales.

That’s driven largely by low cost devices. Apple are not in that business, even with what they’re doing with the SE, they can’t compete, and I’m sure they wouldn’t want to. The mid and premium devices provide the margin they’re looking for.

 

[75Batt]

I don’t live in India so perhaps someone can chime in with an on-the-ground report of the market there.

More affordable product options? Apple’s “affordable” iPhone is the SE which is inferior in nearly every regard to a handset at that same price point from another manufacturer.

My questions: How much weight does the Apple brand carry in India? Do the consumers there care more about name/image and iOS, or value? Because if the answer is the latter, Apple has no ground to realistically gain in that market.

For a long time low-cost, low-quality smartphone and feature phones have dominated in India because there is a massive wealth disparity between the ‘lower’ and ‘middle’ class. Although International premium brands do carry a lot of weight as their often aspirational products seen as a sign of wealth. More recently, Indias’s middle class population has has exploded, with half now considered middle class. This has provided a major opportunity for Apple. However, the competition is tough on the low-end as even the SE is priced relatively high in comparison to many of the android devices which dominate that market.

 

[sw1tcher]

Is that a real picture from the 14 Pro? If so, I didn’t realize they were making some of those in India.

Apple's been assembling iPhone 14 in India for almost 6 months now

Apple Begins Manufacturing iPhone 14 in India

Apple has begun manufacturing the iPhone 14 in India, the company has confirmed in a statement, with locally made models expected to be sold later...

www.macrumors.com

 

[The_Gream]

Soon we going to see people selling off body parts to afford an iPhone even in India.

Many indian youths are obsessed to buy gadgets. Things are not the same as it was 25-30 years ago.

That shouldn’t be a problem, it won’t be their body parts /s

 

[monster620ie]

What a shame

 

[The_Gream]

Thanks. That was a lot of what I was thinking. IMO India’s culture isn’t really where it needs to be, to be considered a first world, and pushing for the basic rights all people should have.

Edit: If possible I would like to know why people disliked so I can correct any misunderstanding on my part.

I realize I on my part I chose my words poorly. Instead of culture (which is to broad a word) I should have said work ethic/culture.

 

[lartola]

Android holds 80% marketshare outside of the U.S.
Apple needs to overhaul International sales to focus on International sales.

True, but India is such a large market that even 20% of it is just as big as the entire US market. That’s why Apple cares about it.

 

[steve09090]

More affordable product options? Apple’s “affordable” iPhone is the SE which is inferior in nearly every regard to a handset at that same price point from another manufacturer.

The Apple Eco System is far far superior. The integration between devices leaves Android in its wake. I know the Fandroids here will thumbs down me for saying it, but you know it’s true. 😂

Experience isn’t decided by tech specs.