Why is CEO Tim Cook Excited About New Apple Stores in Bengaluru and Pune?

San Francisco/New Delhi, Sep 5 (NationPress) As Apple gears up to enhance its retail footprint in India, CEO Tim Cook has officially revealed plans to launch two new retail locations in Bengaluru’s Hebbal and Pune’s Koregaon Park. He expressed that the US tech giant is "thrilled" to deliver the finest technology to Indian consumers at these new establishments.

On his official social media X platform on Thursday, the Apple CEO stated: "Say hello to Apple Hebbal in Bengaluru and Apple Koregaon Park in Pune! We are excited to continue providing the best of Apple to customers across India at these new outlets."

The first store, Apple Hebbal, is slated to open on September 2, 2025, within the Phoenix Mall of Asia. This will be the third official Apple Store in India, joining the existing locations at Apple Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai and Apple Saket in Delhi.

Apple has teased the upcoming Bengaluru store with an artistic barricade showcasing vibrant peacock feathers, paying homage to India’s national bird.

Customers can expect a full range of Apple products, including iPhones, Macs, AirPods, iPads, and accessories, along with expert support and the popular "Today at Apple" sessions.

Following the launch in Bengaluru, Apple is also preparing to unveil its fourth store in Pune, located at KOPA Mall in Koregaon Park, expected to open in early September.

This new outlet will span a significant 10,000 sq ft and will be the first Apple Store in Maharashtra outside of Mumbai.

Currently, Apple operates two official retail stores in India - one in Mumbai and the other in New Delhi.

However, more outlets are anticipated soon, as revealed by Tim Cook during the company’s earnings call, indicating that additional retail locations will be established in India before the end of 2025.

This announcement follows reports that Apple is planning to launch four new stores throughout the country, with expected locations including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, and Noida.

Apple's strategy to bolster its retail network in India is a response to a remarkable performance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, during which the iPhone was recognized as the best-selling smartphone in India, reflecting Apple’s growing influence in a market where it maintains a relatively small share.

This impressive performance has undoubtedly boosted the company’s confidence in the long-term prospects within India.

To support the opening of its new stores, Apple has begun recruiting for various roles, seeking passionate and skilled individuals.

The available positions range from customer support to leadership within store operations. These new hires will play a crucial role in delivering exceptional experiences to Apple’s expanding customer base in India.

To recap, Apple initially entered the Indian direct-to-consumer market by launching its online store in 2020, followed by the introduction of the Apple Store app for Indian users in January 2024, which enhanced customer access and engagement.

The brand's physical retail journey commenced in April 2023 with flagship stores in Mumbai (Bandra-Kurla Complex) and Delhi (Saket).

Alongside its retail expansion, Apple is also enhancing its manufacturing capabilities in India.

The entire iPhone 16 lineup, from the affordable iPhone 16e to the premium Pro and Pro Max variants, is now being manufactured locally.

This aligns with Apple’s ongoing commitment to the 'Make in India' initiative, which it has supported since 2017.

In the coming weeks, the iPhone 17 will be launched, appealing to tech enthusiasts and 'iPhone lovers' alike. With substantial manufacturing ramped up in India, the local availability of the iPhone 17 is expected to be unprecedented, leading to a surge in demand among consumers with deeper pockets.

Apple's retail network is expanding to include two more major cities, alongside Mumbai and Delhi. The first store will welcome customers in Bengaluru just before the iPhone 17 launch, while the second will be in Pune.

Nearly two years after the first stores opened in India, these new locations in Bengaluru and Pune are anticipated to deliver the 'Apple experience' to a broader audience.

With the iPhone 17 series rumored to debut soon, it is an opportune moment to launch these Apple Stores in two of India's thriving cities—Bengaluru and Pune.

Apple is producing the entire lineup of iPhone 17 models in India and aims for an extensive reach for Indian consumers through its expanded presence.

These new retail locations will offer an essential in-person experience for customers eager to explore and purchase the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup.

Reports suggest that Apple’s manufacturing partner, Foxconn, has already commenced small-scale production of the iPhone 17 at its new facility in Bengaluru, further solidifying India's role as a crucial hub for the company’s global operations. Additionally, a Tata Group-backed manufacturing facility will handle the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models.