Apple continues to make an iPhone sales push in India, as it has added a fifth distribution partner in the country. Optiemus Group is the latest to sign on, looking to expand “neighborhood” phone stores.
News that Optiemus will begin distributing the iPhone in India comes from The Times of India, which cites three industry executives and says more partnerships are expected to follow.
The report notes that Apple has sold one million smartphones in India during the last seven months, well on the way to its goal of 2 million iPhone sales in India in 2015. Apple is reportedly looking to double its iPhone sales numbers for each of the next three years in the country.
Apple is but a speck in the rear-view mirror of competitors in India, as it currently only holds around 2% of the Indian smartphone market, compared to Samsung’s 28%, and Micromax’s 15%.
Apple’s sweet spot in India has been in the 30,000 Indian Rupee and up smartphone market, with Apple replying on financing options through sellers to move the phones out the door.
Last week, we reported that Apple’s main manufacturing partner, Foxconn, is said to be in discussions to open a new iPhone assembly plant in India. It is believes such a move would allow it to make the devices at a lower cost, while also boosting sales in the growing market.
