Apple Stores set to enter India; teams up with Croma Retail
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Apple Stores will now officially enter Indian shores in partnership with Tata-owned consumer electronics chain Croma which will host Apple at six locations – five in Croma stores, Mumbai and one in Bangalore – to begin with. The locations are Juhu, Oberoi Mall, Malad, Ghatkopar, and Phoenix Mall in Mumbai. In Bangalore, it will be opened in Jayanagar. These stores will be opened by Diwali this year.
Avijit Mitra, chief executive officer of Infiniti Retail, which owns Croma said, “We are proud to partner Apple to launch the Apple Store in India and extremely bullish about it. These stores will be modelled on the global design and will offer the best experience to consumers, showcasing the entire range of Apple products.”
It should be pointed out that these stores will be different from Apple exclusive stores in India. Apple will not own these stores, but has franchisees who are premium re-sellers. Apple products are sold online via e-commerce portals as well.
The Apple space will be 400-500 square feet in area and the store design, furniture, fixtures and lighting will the same as that used in Apple stores globally and the sales staff will also be trained by the company, the report added.
Croma has stated that it has 97 stores across the country with 3.8 million customers where as Apple owns more than 460 stores in 17 countries. The company has significantly increased its retail presence in the country in the past year with five distributors in India.
Questions & Answers
Q.Are these new stores fully owned and operated by Apple, similar to their global outlets?
Are these new stores fully owned and operated by Apple, similar to their global outlets?
No, these stores will not be owned by Apple. They are a partnership with Tata-owned Croma, which will host Apple within its existing retail spaces, making them different from Apple's exclusive stores. Apple has franchisees who are premium resellers.
Q.When are these new Apple retail spaces expected to open to the public?
When are these new Apple retail spaces expected to open to the public?
The new Apple retail spaces are scheduled to open by Diwali this year. This launch marks Apple's official entry into the Indian market through its partnership with Croma.
Q.What will be the size of these new Apple retail spaces within the Croma stores?
What will be the size of these new Apple retail spaces within the Croma stores?
The Apple retail spaces will be approximately 400-500 square feet in area. Their design, including furniture, fixtures, and lighting, will match the global standard of Apple stores.
Q.How many new locations are planned for this initial expansion into the Indian market?
How many new locations are planned for this initial expansion into the Indian market?
Six new locations are planned for this initial phase. Five of these will be in Croma stores in Mumbai, and one will be in Bangalore. These mark Apple's official entry into India.