Apple fans in India are in for some exciting news as the Cupertino tech-giant will be allegedly opening its first online retail store to sell locally made iPhone SE in the sub-continent, sometime later this year. The Indian government has apparently set new norms to enable the company to directly sell its goods through online channels in the country, only if they are made locally.
It is estimated that more than half of iPhone sales in India occurs via online channels as products sold over the e-commerce portals are heavily discounted for promoting sales.
"Apple will initially start its online store by selling iPhone SE which will be manufactured in India and will be in line with government policies. The company is hopeful to start the online store in India around Diwali," said one of the executive.
Apple is unlikely to slash its prices down to keep up with the ensuing competition from the rival e-commerce sites and instead aims at offering value-added services like laser engraving, besides selling exclusive variants for online purchase only.
The company has set a very optimistic roadmap for opening up to five or six online retail stores in India, across all major metro cities in the next ten years.
[Source: ET Tech]
