Trump Effect, Apple Will Open Its First Store In India

Apple illustration (unsplash)

JAKARTA - For the past decade, Apple has only relied on third-party retail to sell its products in India. However, all that will change in 2021.

According to the BBC, after the company's annual shareholder meeting, Apple CEO Tim Cook told investors that Apple would open a retail store in India. Judging from a BBC report that calls India the second largest smartphone market in the world.

"I firmly believe in opportunities in India. This is a country of unmatched passion and demographics," said Tim Cook.

Previously, in 2018 India changed laws preventing foreign brands from opening single-brand stores in the country. However, Cook said India wanted Apple to open its stores with local partners.

Yet another excellent meeting and talks with my friend @ realDonaldTrump. Relations between India and USA are not merely ties between two governments. Ours is a friendship that is people-driven and people centric. Our nations are cooperating extensively, which is a great sign. pic.twitter.com/VPA8jdhAtI

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2020

It is known that Apple only sells its products through third-party stores in India at this time, but its sales are lagging behind competitors, namely Samsung and Huawei. This is because most people in this country cannot afford Apple products, which are quite expensive. Therefore, most smart phones shipped in India are only priced at 150 US dollars or the equivalent of Rp. 2 million.

The Cupertino, Calif., Smartphone manufacturer has also been working to expand its appeal in India by working to lower the price of its handsets. Over the years, Apple has urged the Indian government to provide a number of tax benefits. When that talk didn't materialize, Apple immediately expanded into China to assemble its smartphones.

This is also believed to be after the President of the United States (US) Trump's state visit to India some time ago. Where Trump wants to develop the business potential of the country.

Although not a business trip, Trump's goal of visiting India is also to strengthen bilateral relations between Washington and New Delhi. Including the technology agenda behind Trump's visit.

According to other reports, Trump's state visit to India can also be interpreted as an effort to reduce the substantial problems of the trade war that occurred between China and the US. Apart from opening up new trade opportunities, the technology world carefully hopes that the US can unlock India's potential in the technology industry. This is evident not long ago, the news that Apple will open its retail in India in 2021 was sticking out.