Apple Store online launches in India
As planned, Apple on Wednesday opened the virtual doors to its Apple Store online in India, marking a retail first for the tech titan.
Apple has long been rumored to enter the burgeoning Indian market, a crucial growth opportunity for the iPhone maker, but previous attempts were stymied by government restrictions on production sourcing and import/export rules. With recent changes to local commerce laws, made partially to goose international investment, Apple is now liberal to enter the region for the primary time.
Announced last week, the web storefront delivers a full array of products and, importantly, support services on to customers in India. While the corporate doesn't yet operate a brick-and-mortar outlet, customers are going to be ready to access personalized shopping support and repair through a fanatical website. Apple Specialists also are available to help with retail orders, device found out , product information and more in both English and Hindi.
A range of purchase options are available to buyers, who pays for items via credit and open-end credit , mastercard EMI, RuPay, UPI, Net Banking and mastercard on delivery. Like other locales where Apple operates, discounts are being provided to newly accepted university students and their parents, lecturers, and faculty staff.
Apple is additionally bringing its device trade-in strategy to the new market. Customers can exchange eligible iPhone — and choose Samsung and OnePlus handsets — for credit toward a replacement iPhone. The scheme presents the company's premium hardware at a lower cost , a move that would drive sales during a country known for its price-conscious consumers.
Customers can configure Macs to order, while AppleCare+ extends India's standard two-year limited warranty and adds accidental damage coverage.
Orders are currently processed and fulfilled through free, no-contact delivery options, a consideration made to account for the continued coronavirus pandemic.
Apple is additionally offering "signature" wrapping paper and personalized engraving on select products. AirPods, for instance , are often emblazoned with emoji or text in English, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu. Engraving is out there for iPad and Apple Pencil, but is restricted to English text.
Following today's launch, Apple's next steps in India include a flagship brick-and-mortar store set to open in Mumbai in 2021.
Apple Online Stores: Now Playing in India
The American company has made all attempts to woo customers with customizations in Indian languages
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September 23, 2020 3 min read
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On September 23, 2020, Apple launched the Apple Store online in India. For the first time, all Apple products have been made available to customers all over the country at one place. Apple operations having been in action for over two decades in India now, issues with customer care and accessibility have always been spoken about.
The Apple India Online Store has been made available both in English and Hindi where customers can now make direct purchases. Apple’s senior vice-president of retail and people, Deirdre O’Brien, gladly stated, “We’re proud to be expanding in India and want to do all we can to support our customers and their communities. We know our users are relying on technology to stay connected, engage in learning, and tap into their creativity, and by bringing the Apple Store online to India, we are offering our customers the very best of Apple at this important time.”
The wait is over
In the testing times of COVID-19, when store visits are scarce, Apple India Online is here to offer customers with the best services. No more relying on third-party e-commerce sites to get your Apple products. The online store is now on air, with a full range of products. Customers can access much desired support and guidance while making their purchases as well as avail customer support for their existing products.
At par with the world
Now, at par with other places where Apple renders local services, buyers can also access financing options and trade-in programes for their purchases. Apple for students made Mac and iPads available at special prices with added discounts on various accessories and add-ons.
The AppleCare+ helpdesk support can also be accessed online for technical support, warranty checks and additional coverage under AppleCare.
A number of local developers have also contributed to some applications such as the AI-based Wysa and the YogiFi app for mental health support and real-time yoga made possible through machine learning—all while staying at home. This speaks clearly of Apple’s initiative to truly bring in ideas of Indian developers and power a system of innovation and support through the country.
Festivities are in order
For the coming festive season in India, the Apple store plans to bring in signature gift wraps and personalized engravings for iPads and AirPods. You can avail a personalization in text in a number of languages including English, Gujarati, Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi. Creative sessions for photography and music, under “Today at Apple” are also to be held in October to pump up the festivities. It can be said that Apple is also desi now!
Health first
Apple is emphasizing on prompt shipping with contactless delivery to reinforce social distancing norms. A verbal confirmation will be put into practice instead of a written signature for the delivery of products.
Having set foot in India, the Online Store is receiving much appreciation. We can only imagine what will be in “Store” in the future!
Apple Opens First Online Store In India, Just before Lucrative Hindu season
KEY POINTS
India is that the world’s second largest smartphone market after China
Apple also plans to open its first physical mercantile establishment in India sometime next year
The launch of the web store comes just before the Hindu festival season
After operating in India for quite 20 years , Apple (AAPL) has finally introduced its first online store within the subcontinent on Wednesday.
Apple’s products and support services will now be available on to Indian customers for the primary time within the world’s second largest smartphone market after China.
Indians previously had to depend on third-party partners like Apple Premium Resellers for such sales and support.
“We’re proud to be expanding in India and need to try to to all we will to support our customers and their communities,” said Deirdre O’Brien, an Apple senior vice chairman . “We know our users are counting on technology to remain connected, engage in learning, and tap into their creativity, and by bringing the Apple Store online to India, we are offering our customers the absolute best of Apple at this important time.”
Apple also plans to open its first physical mercantile establishment in India sometime next year.
“Apart from offering a showcase for the Apple products, the web store will increase a way of belonging for the consumers,” said Sachin Mehta, a analyst at research firm IDC. “Exclusive customer support through troubleshooting, financing schemes and buyback options are going to be the driving factors.”
The launch of the web store comes just before the Hindu festival season , one among the foremost lucrative periods for high-tech product sales within the country.
Navkendar Singh, mobile device researcher at IDC-India, told Financial Times that foreign companies like Apple can now sell on to Indian customers because last year the govt of Prime Minister Narendra Modi eased regulations – partly to require advantage of worsening U.S.-China relations and to assist revive a weakening economy.
“The Indian government would like to develop the country as a producing alternative to China,” Singh said. “It’s a marquee brand for the Indian government initiative – when Apple starts making in India, it’s a logo of pride and prestige.”
Tarun Pathak, analyst at Counterpoint Research in Gurgaon, India, said for Apple, the web store “brings them a big advantage to draw people into the ecosystem.”
“Tech companies want to be in countries which will provide scale to them, and India is one among those countries. it's not only domestic consumption but an enormous opportunity for export,” Pathak said.
But there are worries about how the worsening COVID-19 crisis will impact sales.
“This season are going to be crucial for tons of the brands hit by COVID-19,” Pathak said. “There are going to be an uptick in sales needless to say , we just don’t skills big.”
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