A new job listing on Apple's site indicates that the company is developing a "significant growth plan" for its network of Apple Premium Resellers (APRs) in India, seeking a new national manager to oversee expansion of the program.
The Apple Premium Reseller (APR) program was designed by Apple to expand and improve the market coverage and customer experience. Apple Premium Resellers offer the complete range of Macs, iPods and iPhones, along with a full complement of software and accessories.
There are currently 49 APRs in India with a significant growth plan for the future.
The NM [National Manager] will lead the expansion of the APR coverage as per plan
The new position will be based in Bangalore, where Apple has a minor existing presence.
Earlier this year, rumors surfaced suggesting that Apple was considering opening its own retail stores in India after the government relaxed laws that had required significant domestic ownership of single-brand stores. It is unclear whether Apple's planned expansion of its APR network in India means that it has decided against opening its own stores in the country, but any such Apple retail plan appears to have been a long-term project in any case.
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India is one of the four "BRIC" countries whose developing economies are seen as major growth markets, with Brazil, Russia, and China also being included in that group. Apple has clearly focused its initial efforts for this group on China, although Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged in an interview last month that the company has also been increasing its efforts in Brazil and Russia. Consequently, India appears to be Apple's lowest priority among emerging markets, but the company is undoubtedly keeping a keen eye on developments there and building its APR network as an interim measure to increase its presence.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)@varunkrish-i live in kolkata nd there is a bistro here that uses ipads as menus...
Apple is going to take india seriously!m convinved about that..! But the only question is HOW SOON
And what about import duties that increase the prices by about 30% or so (for Apple products)? Apple would have no control over that for as long as the products are manufactured outside and imported.
Without government support for companies like Apple to expand, it's just not possible even if the market seems big enough. For the above reasons, Apple consumers in India would have to put up with third party resellers whose only concern for the brand value would be the money it brings in (and not really anything to do with support or service).
Restrictions like the above mentioned are why Apple products get sold very widely in gray markets and not through formal retail channels around the world, especially in Asia where Apple's presence is a lot lesser than in US, Canada and Europe.
I already started liking Tim Cook as CEO :apple: