Apple has finally opened its first retail store in India. Dubbed Apple BKC, the store is located in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) district in Mumbai. The store will provide customers with the opportunity to explore Apple products and services, as well as offering free Today at Apple sessions, where they can learn how to make the most out of their devices.
This dynamic space will be designed to be one of the most energy-efficient Apple Store locations in the world. The store will be operationally carbon neutral, relying on 100 percent renewable energy, and will have its own dedicated solar array, making it one of the most eco-friendly stores in the region.
The store is spread over 20,000 square feet over two floors in the Jio World Drive mall, which also houses brands like Diesel, Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Swarovski. This move is seen as a significant milestone for Apple, which has struggled to establish a foothold in the Indian market. However, the company is now looking to expand in India and tap into the country's growing middle class, which is becoming increasingly interested in technology and consumer electronics.
Apple has leased out the space in the mall for a 11 year contract, and has been successful in negotiating for barring 22 competing brands, including Amazon, Facebook, Google LG, Microsoft, Sony and others, from occupying space or advertising in close vicinity. The Cupertino-based company will be paying ₹42 lakh per month as a rental for the store, and will also share a part of the revenues with the space owner.
After Mumbai, the company's next stop is Delhi where it will open its second store. Till then, stay updated with latest Apple news on LiveMint.
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After Mumbai, the company's next stop is Delhi where it will open its second store on April 20. We will be back soon. Till then, stay updated with latest Apple news on LiveMint.
Barricade for Apple Saket was revealed on April 11
Apple says that the colourful artwork celebrates Apple’s second store in India. Beginning April 20, customers will be able to stop by to explore Apple’s latest product lineup, find creative inspiration, and get personalised service and support from the store’s team of Specialists, Creatives, and Geniuses. To know more about Apple Saket and how it is different from BKC, click here
Apple's Saket store in Delhi is half Mumbai's BKC one, but has to pay same rent
According to documents shared by CRE Matrix, the Apple Saket is spread over 8,417.83 sqft while Apple BKC is sprawling across 20,000 sqft. The tech firm will pay ₹40 lakh per month for the Delhi store, however, for Mumbai it will have to pay ₹42 lakh per month for more than double the area. Click here to read more
Apple Saket will open for customers at 10 am on April 20
Apple Saket will feature a unique design that takes inspiration from Delhi’s many gates, each signifying a new chapter to the city’s storied past.
Second customer to enter Apple BKC flew from Rajasthan
Second customer to enter Apple BKC took a flight from Rajasthan and joined the queue at 8:30 pm, and credited this to his love for the brand. He also spelt out his aim of being present in New Delhi for the Apple's Saket outlet opening on April 20.
First customer to go inside BKC was at the store location since 8pm yesterday, wished to buy an Apple watch
"I have been here since last night 8 pm, been camping outside the Apple store for about 15 hours now. I haven't had breakfast, haven't had a shower and you can see us all drenched in sweat. But yeah, we are super excited," the customer told PTI.
Here's a look at other Apple stores with iconic design and structure
To view the full list, click here.
Today at Apple series
Apple BKC will offer a special Today at Apple series, “Mumbai Rising," running from April 18. These free sessions bring visitors, local artists, and creatives together and will feature Apple products and services to offer hands-on activities that celebrate the local community and culture. `To read more, Click here.
Services like Apple Trade In program
Apple BKC store will welcome customers from around the world, helping them learn about Apple products and offering advice on the best options to suit customers’ needs, as well as the Apple Trade In program. The store features more than 100 team members who collectively speak over 20 languages. (Click here to read more).
Most sustainable store yet
Apple says that its BKC store is designed to be one of the most energy-efficient Apple Store locations in the world, with a dedicated solar array and zero reliance on fossil fuels for store operations. The store is operationally carbon neutral, running on 100 percent renewable energy. (Click here to read more)
Stone walls sourced from Rajasthan
Upon entering the store, customers are greeted by two stone walls sourced from Rajasthan and a 14-meter-long stainless steel staircase connecting the ground level and the cantilevered mezzanine. (To read more, click here)
Apple BKC has 1,000 tiles in the ceiling
Apple’s first India store has 1,000 tiles in the ceiling. Each tile is made from 408 pieces of timber, forming 31 modules per tile with a total of 1,000 tiles that make up the ceiling. The handcrafted-timber ceiling makes a triangular formation that extends beyond the glass façade to the underside of the exterior canopy.
Here’s what makes the company’s first India store ‘special’
Apple’s first official store in India is finally here. Located at Jio World Drive Mall in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, the store will provide customers with the opportunity to explore Apple products and services. The store was opened for media personnel showcasing a stunning glass facade, making it stand out as a unique and modern building. Inside, the store offers a spacious layout with high ceilings, pillars, and rows of parallel desks, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Android users flood social media with memes on Apple Store launch!
Here is the best meme among all!
Apple fans flaunt vintage devices to impress CEO Tim Cook
The 30-year-old Purav Mehta couldn't resist the fanboy inside him, as he eagerly waited for Cook's signature on his mint-condition iPod Touch, bought from eBay and carefully packed. Mehta shared his excitement with Reuters.
Celebrities at Apple Mumbai Store launch event!
These celebrities appeared at Apple Mumbai Store launch event. (Click here to view the images)
Mumbai's 'energy, creativity, and passion' leaves Apple CEO in awe!
“The energy, creativity, and passion in Mumbai is incredible! We are so excited to open Apple BKC — our first store in India," tweed Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Apple Inc makes strategic move in India as it opens first flagship store. Here's the full coverage!
Apple Inc. opened its first flagship store in India in a much-anticipated launch Tuesday that highlights the company's growing aspirations to expand in the country it also hopes to turn into a potential manufacturing hub.
The company's CEO Tim Cook posed for photos with a few of the 100 or so Apple fans who had lined up outside the sprawling 20,000-square-foot store in India's financial capital, Mumbai, its design inspired by the iconic black-and-yellow cabs unique to the city. A second store will open Thursday in the national capital, New Delhi. (Click here to read more)
Rakul Preet poses with Tim Cook!
Indian actress Rakul Preet shared a picture with Tim Cook on her Intagram account. He also expressed, “What a Fantastic store @Apple has launched in mumbai❤️ congratulations 😁 and such a pleasure meeting you @tim_cook ❤️."
Director Boney Kapoor meets Apple CEO
Boney Kapoor meets Apple CEO at the store launch event.
Glimpses of Apple fans filled with zeal outside BKC store
The store event was attended by over 5,000 Apple enthusiasts. (Check here)
Tim Cook takes selfies with fans outside the Apple BKC store
Apple CEO Tim Cook joins excited fans, clicks selfies as first Mumbai Store draws crowds
Tim Cook unveils India's first Apple Store at Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex
Apple CEO Tim Cooked opened the gates of company's first retail store located at Mumbai.
10 things you should know about the first Apple store in India
- The opening of Apple BKC coincides with the iPhone maker's 25th anniversary in India. The store will open in the Reliance Jio World Drive mall in the Bandra Kurla Complex.
2) Apple opened its Mumbai store to bloggers and tech reviewers on Monday, giving them a sneak peek at the store before it opens.
3) Apple CEO Tim Cook will welcome the first customers to the opening of Apple BKC. The Apple CEO is visiting India after a gap of seven years, he first visited the country in 2016. Cook is also expected to meet PM Modi and Deputy IT Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar during his visit.
4) Although Apple's latest store in India appears similar to the company's stores in other parts of the world, there are certain efforts to ‘Indianize’ the newest outlet. For instance, inspired by the iconic 'Kaali Peeli', the vintage yellow and black taxis that are synonymous with Mumbai.
5) The 100-member team at Apple BKC speaks 18 Indian languages, reflecting Apple's emphasis on inclusivity. Apple says it directly employs 2500 people in India and helps create 10 lakh jobs through its app ecosystem.
6)Apple BKC will also introduce an in-store servicing facility, called ‘Genius Bay’. At this facility, customers can receive troubleshooting advice from trained professionals. Customers will be able to schedule a servicing appointment by going to Apple India's official website.
7) Reportedly, 22 competing brands including Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft cannot own space or have advertisements near the new Apple store.
8)Apple will pay a hefty ₹42 lakh per month with an annual increase of 15 percent for the 20,000 square feet store. The company will also share 2 percent of its revenues with the property owners for the next 3 years.
9) To celebrate the opening of its first store in India, Apple created a special playlist on the Apple Music app and released new wallpapers for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
10) After the opening of Apple BKC in Mumbai, the iPhone maker is planning to open its second store in India on April 20, called Apple Saket, in New Delhi. Previously, Apple sold its devices in India through third-party resellers or e-commerce websites such as Amazon or Flipkart.
Sessions in the “Mumbai Rising” series include:
Music Lab: Deep Listening in Urban Spaces with Sandunes
Photo Lab: Portraits of Resistance with Prarthna Singh
Design Lab: Every Poster Tells a Story with Boomranng Studio
Art Lab: Drawing Homage to Mumbai with Kohla
Apple will take a bigger bite of India's smartphone market with its company-owned stores, experts says
As India's first Apple retail store opens in Mumbai, people can be seen posing with Apple products while queuing up outside the store in excitement. About 200 Apple fans hoping to be among the lucky few to enter the tech giant's first retail store in India gathered from early on Tuesday outside the shop in the commercial capital of Mumbai.
Visuals moment before the inauguration
Excited fans across India has gathered outside the Jio World Drive Mall in Mumbai, eagerly anticipating the opening of Apple's inaugural retail store today.
Tim Cook meets Ambani before store opening
A day before India’s first Apple Store opens doors at the Jio World Drive mall in Mumbai, the company’s chief executive officer Tim Cook met Reliance Industries Ltd chairman Mukesh Ambani and his top executives in the city, a person aware of the matter said.
Cook, who is scheduled to inaugurate the Mumbai store on Tuesday, met Ambani, his son and Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani, and daughter and Reliance Retail chairperson Isha Ambani, the person cited above said on condition of anonymity. He also met senior Reliance group executives during his first day in Mumbai.
Apple BKC store inauguration timings
The Apple BKC store in Mumbai is set to open at 11 AM today. Tim Cook will be participating in the store opening events. “At Apple, our customers are at the center of everything we do, and our teams are excited to celebrate this wonderful moment with them as we open our first retail store in India. Apple BKC is a reflection of Mumbai’s vibrant culture and brings together the best of Apple in a beautiful, welcoming space for connection and community," said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail.
Apple BKC to Launch "Mumbai Rising" Today at Apple Series from April 18
Throughout the summer, the sessions at Apple BKC will facilitate engaging interactions between visitors, local artists, and creative professionals. These sessions will involve various hands-on activities that emphasize the unique local community and culture, all of which will utilize Apple's products and services.
Apple fan wears the iconic Stevens Jobs' turtleneck with his 30 year old Mac
Apple fan wears the iconic Stevens Jobs' turtleneck to get his 30 year old Mac signed by Apple CEO. Hundreds of individuals were seen outside Apple BKC, with some present for the sheer thrill of it, while others eagerly waited for an opportunity to have their products autographed by Tim Cook.
Is Apple BKC store the most sustainable store in the world?
According to media reports, it is tipped that the Apple BKC store is the most sustainable among all its stores worldwide. This is due to its exclusive use of solar energy and complete absence of dependence on fossil fuels for its operations. The store is fully carbon-neutral in terms of its operations and runs entirely on renewable energy sources, making it a highly eco-friendly establishment, according to the company.
Apple's BKC Store boasts of a multilingual team of 100 members
According to Apple, the team at the Apple Bandra Kurla Complex store comprises of 100 members who are capable of speaking more than 20 languages collectively.
A long queue awaits outside Apple's BKC store
Singer Armaan Malik also took a selfie with Tim Cook at a private store launch event
Singer Armaan Malik also took a selfie with Tim Cook at a private store launch event and shared it on his Instagram account. In the caption, he expressed his excitement for meeting two legends and also mentioned that his song "Sun Maahi" was played during the launch of India's first Apple Store. He further added that it was a wonderful evening.
Raveena Tandon to AR Rehman, celebrities from Bollywood strike a pose with Apple CEO Tim Cook
The CEO of Apple has recently made a visit to India and has been meeting with various dignitaries throughout the country. In addition, several Bollywood celebrities, including Madhuri Dixit, Raveena Tandon, AR Rahman, Mouni Roy, Suraj Nambiar, singer Armaan Malik, and Farah Khan Ali, among others, attended a private store launch event. These celebrities have shared pictures with the Apple CEO on their social media accounts.
On her Instagram account, Raveena Tandon posted a series of pictures from the event and captioned it as "A night out at @apple.. #timcook."
Tim Cook plans to double down on India
Apple is putting in significant efforts and resources into India, and Cook remains bullish about the country's potential. Cook expressed confidence in India's potential, stating that he did not expect a significant difference between the two markets. This optimism is well-founded, as India recently achieved a record-breaking quarterly revenue in the three months ending in December.
According to a report by Bloomberg, in the year that ended in March 2023, Apple exported $5 billion worth of iPhones from India, which is almost four times the amount exported in the previous year.
Tim Cook eats vada pav with Madhuri Dixit
Bollywood celebs posed with Apple CEO Tim Cook. Take a look.
This is how Apple BKS looks
Apple has recently opened its BKC store in Mumbai for media personnel to get a first-hand look. Take a look.
Tim Cook to meet PM Modi
Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 19, as Mumbai prepares to welcome India's inaugural Apple store. Read more.
Apple to offer in-house servicing through Genius Bay
Apple’s retail stores in India, which start operations with an outlet in Mumbai from Tuesday, will provide in-house device servicing. Read more.
Apple's Mumbai store bigger than Delhi store
The Apple store in Mumbai, which is located in the Reliance Jio World Drive mall, covers a vast area of 20,800 square feet, surpassing the size of the planned store in Delhi.
Apple fans expected to gather in numbers
The inauguration of Apple's maiden retail outlet in India could draw in around 5000 or more visitors to the shopping center where it is situated, with approximately 2000 fervent admirers projected to camp overnight in anticipation of the grand opening.
Apple BKC to be eco-friendly
With its own dedicated solar array and a complete dependence on renewable energy for store operations, Apple BKC has been engineered to emerge as one of the most eco-friendly Apple Store locations worldwide. The store is operational without emitting carbon, thus maintaining a carbon-neutral stance.
Apple BKC interior looks
At Apple, experts are prepared to assist customers in discovering Apple products, as well as providing guidance on various payment options and transitioning to iOS.
Apple BKC exterior looks
Reflecting the distinctive geometry of the store, Apple BKS has a handcrafted timber ceiling with a triangular shape extends beyond the glass facade and under the exterior canopy.
Apple to open Delhi store on April 20
Apple has revealed that it will open its second store in Delhi on April 20, which has been inspired by the historic gates of the city.
India has incredible energy, says Tim Cook
"India has such a beautiful culture and an incredible energy, and we’re excited to build on our long-standing history — supporting our customers, investing in local communities, and working together to build a better future with innovations that serve humanity," said Apple CEO Tim Cook on April 17.