Apple CEO Tim Cook opened the doors of the company's first flagship retail store in India that was thrown open to the public on Tuesday (April 18) at Jio World Drive Mall in Mumbai's bustling Bandra Kurla Complex. The retail store was opened amid much fanfare and queues of Apple enthusiasts at Apple BKC.
The launch of Apple BKC store comes at a time when the tech giant is commemorating 25 years in India. The launch of Apple BKC will be followed by the opening of another Apple store in New Delhi's Saket on Thursday (April 20). The Cupertino-based tech giant has big plans for India, including a stronger app developer ecosystem, a dedication to sustainability, community programmes in several locations as well as localised manufacturing.
“At Apple, our mission is to enrich lives and empower people around the world,” Cook, CEO, Apple, was quoted as saying.
“India has such a beautiful culture and an incredible energy, and we’re excited to build on our long-standing history -- supporting our customers, investing in local communities, and working together to build a better future with innovations that serve humanity.”
Amid Apple's big retail push in India, the company CEO is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the Cupertino, California-headquartered tech giant's growing ambitions for India, news agency Reuters reported on Monday. Apple has been targeting India as its growth market and manufacturing base.
Cook will also meet the MoS, Electronics & Technology, Rajeev Chandrashekhar as part of his visit to inaugurate Apple's first retail store in the country's financial capital Mumbai, people familiar with the plans were quoted as saying by Reuters.
Apple BKC was opened in the country's financial capital in a private event where tech analysts, journalists and bloggers reviewed the design and store layout. It will be thrown open to the public tomorrow. Bandra Kurla Complex or BKC is Mumbai's financial, arts, and entertainment district from where Apple BKC gets its name. According to the iPhone maker, the store will serve as a dynamic space where customers can come together, explore Apple products and services, enjoy exceptional service, and learn how to get more out of their devices through free Today at Apple sessions.
India's iPhone exports jumped almost four times to cross $5 billion or more than Rs 40,000 crore in FY 2023, in the wake of increased local production of Apple iPhone models, says a recent report by ET Telecom. India has become a smartphone export hub for countries including Germany, Russia, the UK, France, Italy, the Middle East and Japan.
Experts suggest that Apple iPhone became the first brand to cross the $5 billion export mark from India, thus, highlighting the speed at which the Cupertino, California-based tech giant is ramping up its production in the country. Apple also locally assembles the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus in India.