Apple is doubling its retail footprint in India with the imminent opening of two new stores next week, one in Bengaluru and the other in Pune.
As usual, the company is offering downloadable wallpaper to celebrate the openings, this one with a peacock theme …
The long road to Apple stores in India
Apple had wanted to open retail stores in India for a great many years before it was finally able to do so.
In a bid to boost the manufacturing sector in the country, the Indian government banned anyone from opening single-brand stores unless a high percentage of the products sold within it were made in India. While the law was officially neutral, it was pretty clear that it was aimed very directly at Apple.
Negotiations on the specifics took an incredibly long time, but when Apple agreed to boost iPhone assembly in India, it was finally able to open its first retail store in the country in 2023. A second store opened just a few days later.
Two new stores opening
As with the first two stores, the third and fourth ones are opening just a couple of days apart.
Apple Hebbal opens in Namaskara, Bengaluru, at 1pm on September 2, while Apple Koregaon Park opens its doors in Namaskar, Pune, at the same time on September 4. We can expect the company to share photos of both stores shortly.
Peacock wallpaper
Unusually, Apple is using the same wallpaper to celebrate the opening of both stores, perhaps because they are happening so close together.
You can download the wallpaper here.
Highlighted accessories
Image: Apple