For Apple to really compete with Samsung in terms of global smartphone marketshare, many analysts believe Apple will have to release a cheaper iPhone to appeal to customers in India and China.
As talk of a cheaper iPhone has ramped up over the last few months, Apple is also planning to increase its presence in India by tripling the number of exclusive authorized reseller stores in the country from 65 to 200 by 2015.
“These franchisees, who did not wish to be named, told ET that they have been asked to scale up operations in the country as the Cupertino-based company plans to grow aggressively in the country. In addition to increasing the number of Apple exclusive stores, called Apple Premium Resellers, that are owned and managed by 17 franchisees, the company also plans to expand its presence in multi-brand stores, they said.”
To increase iPhone sales in India, Apple began offering the iPhone in monthly installment plans. The addition of new stores should boost sales numbers further while Apple tries to expand its footprint in the country.
Apple hasn’t been able to get an official Apple Store opened in India due to Indian government requiring all single-brand stores to source 30% of the goods they sell from local vendors. In the meantime Apple has asked the franchisees in India to upgrade their stores to global standards so that customers get as much of the Apple Store experience as possible.
Source: Economic Times
Via: iPhonehacks
