Apple CEO celebrates India as first store in country set to open on April 18

April 17, 2023, 03:27 PM
by UNB Digital Desk

UNB News
Publish- April 17, 2023, 03:27 PM
UNB Digital Desk
Update- April 17, 2023, 04:46 PM

Apple CEO celebrates India as first store in country set to open on April 18

Apple BKC in Mumbai, India. Photo taken Apple's website

As it celebrates more than 25 years in India, iPhone manufacturer Apple announced today that its first two stores in the country will open this week, marking the company's ambitious growth strategy.

Apple will open two locations in Mumbai and Delhi, NDTV reported.

"This week, as Apple celebrates more than 25 years in India, the company is marking a major expansion with the opening of its first Apple Store locations in the country, along with new environmental initiatives and a key milestone in the rapidly growing community of Indian developers," Apple said in a statement.

Apple will open its first store in Mumbai on April 18, followed by the opening of its second official store in Delhi on April 20, said the report.

According to Apple, these stores have been intended to have a local look and feel.

"India has such a beautiful culture and an incredible energy, and we are 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," Apple CEO Tim Cook said.

Apple shipments from India are expected to exceed USD 5 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23, accounting for over half of the total "Made in India" phone exports, the report also said.

In 2017, the company started manufacturing iPhones in India through contract manufacturers.

"Apple's work with Indian suppliers of all sizes supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country," the statement said.

The company also stated that it works one-on-one with developers to help them take their apps from "good to great" at the iOS App Design and Development Accelerator in Bengaluru.

"India's vibrant community of app developers now supports more than 1 million jobs. A testament to the tremendous growth of developers in India, App Store payouts to developers in the country have more than tripled since 2018," the statement added.