Apple has announced that it will launch its first Apple Store Online in India on September 23. The company’s CEO, Tim Cook, confirming the exclusive online store’s launch date cited that the move will help expand support to its Indian customers.
The online store will provide a full range of products, services, and customer support directly to its users. Besides giving virtual access to a wide range of products, the company will offer online Apple Specialists as well. The Specialists can help users with their purchase decisions and guide them on custom-configuring Mac systems or set up new devices.
Apple says that customers will get advice and guidance directly from the company both in English and Hindi language. The online store will offer Apple Care+, which will come with an extended warranty on hardware products by up to two years. There is a trade-in program as well, that will let customers get discounts on the purchase of new iPhones by exchanging their old devices. Notably, exchange programs were formerly not available in India.
“We’re proud to be expanding in India and want to do all we can to support our customers and their communities. We know our users rely on technology to stay connected, engage in learning, and tap into their creativity. By bringing the Apple Store online to India, we offer our customers the very best of Apple at this important time,” Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail + People said in a press statement.
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Apple Store Online India – Student Benefits
Alongside the online store, there will also be a new Education Store which will provide a special discount on Apple products to students and teachers. Besides, there will be special pricing on accessories and Apple Care+ warranty program.
As per Apple’s statement, all online store orders will be shipped with contactless delivery. For product shipment, Apple has partnered with Blue Dart. The logistics company will deliver the products within 24 to 72 hours from the time of payment.
That said, Apple will also offer sessions focused on photography and music (led by Creative Pros) to its customers. As part of celebrating the festive season, signature gift wrap and personalized engraving will be available on select products.
Further, Apple will let customers engrave text or emojis on AirPods, iPad, and Apple Pencil. Initially, the Engraving of emoji or text on AirPods will be available in 7 languages, including English, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu, and English will be available for iPad and Apple Pencil.
Apple solely relies on third-party online retailers (like Amazon, Flipkart) or offline partners to sell its products in the country. However, the launch of its in-house online store will help the company leverage its business in the Indian smartphone market that dominates nearly half the share in terms of global shipment.
The Cupertino company has already been assembling its handsets iPhone SE and iPhone 11 locally in India. And although it took Apple over two decades to bring its online retail presence in the country, the California-based device maker doesn’t seem to play a safe bet any longer but rather set an intense competition for its rivals.
You can head this way to learn more about what Apple Store online will offer.
Apple Time Flies Event 2020
Apple recently launched a range of products at its autumn Time Flies event, including the Apple Watch Series 6, Watch SE, and new iPad models. The company hasn’t specified the release date of its new products in India, but given its new online store is set to launch next week, perhaps the products will hit shelves following the Apple Store Online India debut.