Apple launched online store in India

On 23/09/2020, Apple Inc. officially launched its online Apple Store in India, enabling customers in the country to purchase Apple products directly from the company for the first time. Prior to this launch, Apple devices in India were primarily sold through third party retailers and authorized resellers. The new online store offered Apple’s full product lineup, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and accessories, along with options for custom configuration on select Mac models. Apple stated that the launch was part of its broader expansion strategy in India. The online store introduced localized customer support and purchasing options tailored for Indian customers. Apple provided access to Apple Specialists through online chat and phone support, available in both English and Hindi. The store also supported multiple payment and financing methods, including credit and debit cards, EMI plans, UPI, RuPay, and Net Banking. Apple confirmed that these options were designed to align with commonly used payment systems in India. Apple also introduced services specific to the Indian online store, including Apple Trade In, AppleCare+, and free engraving for AirPods and iPad in English and select Indian languages. Educational pricing for students and educators was also available. The launch preceded Apple’s first physical retail store in India, which the company said would open at a later date. The online store rollout marked Apple’s first direct to consumer retail channel in the Indian market.