Tim Cook confirms Apple opening first Apple Store in India during 2021

Apple will open its first Apple Store in India during 2021, with an official online store launching later this year, according to Tim Cook who confirmed the plans at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting on Tuesday.

Cook, who is said to be personally leading an effort to “remold Apple’s failing India strategy”, is reportedly overseeing development of improved Apple Maps and enhanced Siri for customers across India as the company focuses heavily on growing its market share in the untapped Indian market.

It has been reported Apple will open its first Indian store in Mumbai’s Maker Maxity mall, located in the Bandra Kurla Complex. The flagship store is expected to occupy between 20,000 to 25,000 square feet, said to be occupying three floors.

In addition to Mumbai, Apple has been rumored to be considering additional locations in New Delhi and Bengaluru.

An official launch date for Apple’s Online Store in India hasn’t been confirmed, but earlier reports claimed the company is aiming to make the site live in the third quarter of 2020 after taking a “little longer than previously expected.”

Apple is said to have seen a 1% market share increase in India over the past year, with iPhone now accounting for 2% of the countries smartphone sales.