Cook’s visit underscores the iPhone maker’s aspirations to deepen its retail push in India.
Apple’s chief executive officer Tim Cook met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday in New Delhi where he committed to the country’s growth and investment. Cook also inaugurated Apple Saket, the company’s second physical store in India, following the opening of iPhone the maker’s first physical retail store in Mumbai.
“We share your vision of the positive impact technology can make on India’s future — from education and developers to manufacturing and the environment, we’re committed to growing and investing across the country,” Cook wrote on Twitter.
To this, PM Modi replied that it was an absolute delight to the Apple CEO. “Glad to exchange views on diverse topics and highlight the tech-powered transformations taking place in India,” he added.
Apple opened its first outlet in Mumbai on Tuesday, with Cook personally welcoming customers as employees cheered and clapped. Following this, Cook today inaugurated Apple’s second retail store in Saket Delhi. “What an incredible reception, Delhi, thank you! We’re delighted to welcome our customers to our newest store—Apple Saket!” he wrote on Twitter.
Talking about Apple’s second retail store in India, it has a uniquely designed curved storefront with white oak tables displaying Apple’s products and accessories and features a wall manufactured in the country. Apple Saket, which has 70 highly skilled retail team members, features a dedicated Apple Pickup station which makes it easier for customers to order online and collect their devices in-store at a convenient time. Operations at the Delhi store also run on 100 percent renewable energy and are carbon neutral.
Meanwhile, apart from the PM, Apple’s Cook also met Minister of State in Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar and actress Madhuri Dixit. Some reports also highlighted that the CEO was spotted visiting billionaire and businessman Mukesh Ambani’s house and likely visited other top industrialists including Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran.
Despite Apple’s small share in the country, Cook’s visit underscores the iPhone maker’s aspirations to deepen its retail push in India as the company’s position is expected to grow, particularly as more customers turn to high-end smartphones. The American tech major has also significantly increased iPhone production in the country and is assembling more than $7 billion (roughly Rs. 57,396 crores) worth of the device in India in the last fiscal year. The tech giant now reportedly produces almost 7 percent of its iPhones in the country.
