Apple is set to start online sales of Apple products in India "within months," according to a new report from Bloomberg. Apple has not previously been able to sell its devices in India due to foreign investment rules and regulations.
India on Wednesday eased previous rules that forced foreign companies to source 30 percent of production locally, which has long blocked Apple from opening stores and selling devices directly to consumers in India. Instead, Apple has had to rely on third-party retailers to sell its devices.
Apple is now planning to begin iPhone, iPad, and Mac sales online "in the coming months," though no specific target launch date for sales was specified by Bloomberg.
Now that the rules have changed, Apple is also set to begin opening up retail stores in India in the future and already has retail locations in the works. A new store in Mumbai is in development and is likely set to open next year.
Even prior to the rule change, Apple was working with the Indian government to get permission to open up stores in India. Over the course of the last few years, Apple started manufacturing some lower-cost iPhone models in India to meet local investment requirements.
India is an important market for Apple, as it is a country where Apple devices have low penetration due to high costs from import tariffs. The changes will make Apple devices more affordable to Indian consumers and could grow Apple's footprint in the country.
Top Rated Comments
1. the same Genius Bar service levels as the world gets despite paying a significant premium on the iPhone for years
2. localized Siri support for Apple TV
3. HomePod introduction
4. Full range of genuine accessories
5. Hopefully better pricing with more localized manufaturing
6. The full Apple Retail experience
7. Better Apple maps
8. Global standards for Apple Care warranty with Accidental Damage Protection
Hopefully Apple with reciprocate and grab the opportunity the this liberal policy change has provided. If they cant capitalise on this no one should complain of policy being a hindrance in India
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/government-liberalises-fdi-norms-approves-75-new-medical-colleges/articleshow/70878123.cms
Seem to have relaxed the norms for several sectors, but sure who’s to stop commenting about corruption & burst someone’s bubble on the fact that world doesn’t revolve around Apple. :rolleyes:
Believe me, it is not easy to maneuver vibrant and vocal democracy like India...you can easily negotiate with a single dictator mostly luring him/her on the personal front with lavishness...
Apple has been working on this relationship with India for years, so it’s plausible that this is just the fruit of that labor.