Apple has once again delayed the opening of its first Apple Store brick-and-mortar retail store in India, according to a report in India’s Economic Times.
The Apple Apple Store retail store was originally scheduled to open in 2021, but the global epidemic and economic uncertainty forced Apple to delay the opening. Now, Apple has decided to delay the launch until early 2023, with today’s report saying the company is targeting a launch in the January-March 2023 range. The Apple Store in Mumbai will cover 22,000 square feet and will be a “landmark” retail store known for its iconic design.
Apple also plans to open a second, smaller Apple Store in New Delhi that will be 10,000-12,000 square feet in size. In addition to these two stores, Apple will be looking at other potential locations in shopping malls and high-end shopping areas across India with the goal of making Apple Store retail a significant part of its business.
In 2020, Apple opened the Apple Store online in India to provide Indian customers with a way to purchase products directly from Apple without going through an authorized premium reseller. Apple executives have repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Indian market. Notably, Apple began manufacturing the iPhone 13 series of phones in the Indian region earlier this year.
