After China, India is now the world’s second-largest smartphone market – having overtaken the US last year.
But while India is a massive growth market, Apple has seen its own sales plummet. The company has reportedly drawn up a five-point plan to try to fix the problem …
Pricing is obviously Apple’s biggest challenge in India. The average price paid for a smartphone in India is the equivalent of $150, the manager of one store told Bloomberg.
The owner of a large chain says that consumers are also in no hurry to buy.
Apple is said to have a five-point plan to turn things around:
- Year-round deals, to unofficially reduce prices
- Cut supplies to retailers who fail to hit sales targets, to encourage iPhone recommendations
- Train retail staff to teach customers how to use their iPhones
- Overhaul in-store displays and branding
- Open three Apple Stores in New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai
Apple has long wanted to open retail stores in the country, but been unable to meet a government requirement of manufacturing 30% of its products within India. Adding iPhone 6s production to the iPhone SE may be enough to get it there, in conjunction with another option of using more Indian suppliers.
The company’s plans may not be enough, suggests the piece.
Apple recently replaced three key execs in India after extremely disappointing iPhone sales.
Photo: ARUP
