Apple CEO Tim Cook on Thursday confirmed the opening of two new official Apple stores in India — Apple Hebbal in Bengaluru and Apple Koregaon Park in Pune. With these additions, Apple now has a total of four flagship retail outlets in the country.
The tech giant entered India’s offline retail space in 2023 with Apple BKC (Mumbai) and Apple Saket (Delhi). The new stores in Bengaluru and Pune mark a deeper commitment to expanding its presence in India, one of Apple’s fastest-growing markets.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Apple CEO Tim Cook shared his excitement: "Say hello to Apple Hebbal in Bengaluru and Apple Koregaon Park in Pune! We are thrilled to continue to bring the best of Apple to customers across India at these two new stores."
The announcement coincides with ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted in May that discussions are still active:
"On the trade remarks. Let me say this that look between India and US trade talks have been going on, negotiations have been going on. In fact, we have, I think our team is just going at this point. These are very complicated negotiations. They are very intricate, intricate," he said.
He stressed the importance of patience: "Nothing is decided, you know. But any trade deal, any trade deal has to be mutually beneficial. Any trade deal has to work for both the countries, and I think that would be our expectation from the trade deal and until that is done, I think any judgement on it would be premature."
Trade negotiations were also a major talking point during the tenure of US President Donald Trump, who claimed that India had offered America an almost zero-tariff trade arrangement on a reciprocal basis. "They have offered us a deal where we're basically they're willing to literally charge us no tariff," Trump had said at a press conference in Doha.
Trump also voiced concerns about Apple’s growing manufacturing shift to India. He revealed his conversation with Cook:
"I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. I said to him, my friend, I am treating you very good. You are coming up with $500 billion, but now I hear you are building all over India. I don't want you building in India. You can build in India, if you want to take care of India because India is one of the highest tariff nations in the world, so it is very hard to sell in India," Trump stated.
India has become Apple’s fourth-largest market globally in 2024, after the US, China, and Japan. The launch of Apple Hebbal and Apple Koregaon Park strengthens Apple’s strategy to tap into India’s rising premium consumer base.
The company has already scaled up local iPhone assembly in India through manufacturing partners like Foxconn and Wistron, reducing import costs and boosting exports. With Apple’s retail expansion, customers in Bengaluru and Pune will now experience exclusive product launches, personalized services, and Apple’s signature in-store experience.
Apple’s decision to open two new stores in Bengaluru and Pune highlights its long-term commitment to India, a market witnessing a growing appetite for premium devices. While India–US trade negotiations continue to evolve, Apple’s expanding retail footprint signals confidence in India’s economic growth and consumer demand.
The new stores are expected to not only improve customer engagement but also strengthen Apple’s ecosystem by promoting Made-in-India iPhones and accessories. As India cements its place as Apple’s fourth-largest market, these strategic moves could pave the way for even deeper investments in the coming years.