Retailer body accuses Apple of discriminatory offers on iPhone 15 Pro models

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Mobile retailers have accused Apple of offering deep discounts on the newest iPhone Pro models via large format retailers (LFRs) and its company store while limiting them to a specific cashback offer.

The All India Mobile Retailers Association on April 8 urged the iPhone maker for a level playing field in its promotional offers, flagging unfair competition.

Apple initiated a cash-back offer on April 6, creating a disparity between the country's LFRs and mainline retailers (MBOs), the traders body said.

“It has come to our attention that LFRs and company's own stores are offering a substantial cashback of Rs 10,000 on 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max models, while the retail channels are restricted to Rs 3,000 on the same models,” AIMRA said in a letter to Apple. “This is a purely anticompetitive move favouring a few."

The retailer body said the discrepancy posed a significant risk of loss in sales for the retail channels and raises concerns of unfair competition.

“...it may potentially divert our loyal customers to LFRs derogatorily. Such actions undermine the trust and confidence we have diligently built with our customers over time,” AIMRA said. “We eagerly anticipate a prompt correction in the cash-back offer for the SKUs.”