The opening of the first physical Apple retail store location in India has been delayed by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Apple has confirmed to The Indian Express that the store, promised by Apple CEO Tim cook last year to open sometime in 2021, has indeed been delayed.
During an earnings call last fall, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the Cupertino firm had plans to open its first official Apple retail outlet in India by 2021. However, the challenges brought about by the global pandemic have delayed the opening of the planned store in Mumbai.
Apple in September opened an online store, allowing its Indian customers to purchase products directly through the company itself, and not from authorized local dealers.
India is considered an important customer base for Apple. During the latest earnings call, Cook and other executives discussed India, stating that Apple had experienced double-digit growth in the country.