Apple Store Online Coming To India On September 23

Just a few weeks before the festive season, Apple has announced the launch of Apple Store online in India on September 23. The US tech giant will be offering its full range of products and support directly to customers across the country for the first time. Currently, Apple is dependent on its authorized distributors and retailers in India for its offline sales. For online sales, the company is relying on third-party e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart. 

Additionally, online Apple Specialists will be available to help with anything from custom-configuring any Mac to setting up new devices. Customers can get advice, receive guidance, and learn about new products directly from Apple, both in English and Hindi. 

Through its online store, Apple will be providing a trade-in an option which allows customers to exchange their existing iPhone or any other smartphone to get an instant discount on purchasing of new iPhone.  

According to the Faisal Kawoosa, founder and chief analyst at techARC, the iPhone has around 12 million user base in India. In addition, the company had already partnered with Foxconn and Wistron to produce flagship smartphones such as the iPhone SE, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max in India. This shows that the company is investing heavily in the Indian market. The company now aims to expand its footprint in the country by launching the Apple Store online ahead of the festive season.  

“We’re proud to be expanding in India and want to do all we can to support our customers and their communities,” saidDeirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail + People.“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.” 

Just in time for the festive season, The Company announced that signature gift wrap and personalized engraving will be available for select products. Engraving of emoji or text in English, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu will be available for AirPods, and English engraving will also be available for iPad and Apple Pencil. 

The Indian customers will now be able to custom configure any Mac before purchasing. Students can shop for a Mac or iPad with special pricing, and receive discounts on accessories and AppleCare+. In October, customers can expect free online Today at Apple sessions led by local Creative Pros focused on photography and music. 

Moreover, the company announced that all orders from the Apple Store online will ship with contactless delivery. Orders that do not require a signature will be left at the customer’s door, and those that do will need only a verbal confirmation from a safe distance instead of a written signature. Also, all orders will ship with contactless delivery fulfilled by BlueDart within 24 to 72 hours of placing the order.