Apple is intensifying its offline retail presence in India with the launch of a store in Noida on December 11, its third outlet this year, as the iPhone maker cements its place among the top five smartphone brands by volume in the country.
The company will open a second Mumbai store next year, as part of an aggressive expansion strategy in the world’s second-largest smartphone market.
“We love our customers in India, and this truly is a milestone year for Apple retail in the country. We’re thrilled to be opening our third store this year, and fifth in total — Apple Noida — and to have the chance to connect with even more communities,” Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of retail and people, said in an interview to Moneycontrol.
Expanding footprint
She said the next phase of growth would reflect the iPhone-maker’s sustained commitment to India, with another store slated for Mumbai next year.
“With the opening of Apple Noida, Apple Hebbal and Apple Koregaon Park this year, we look forward to creating more meaningful connections and bringing only-at-Apple experiences to more customers across India,” she said.
Apple Noida, which will be housed in DLF Mall of India in Sector 18, builds on the company’s expanding India footprint. “Our five retail stores together with Apple Store online and Apple Store app, give customers even more choice in how they shop for Apple products,” O’Brien said.
The expansion comes alongside record demand and a manufacturing milestone. “For the first time, all iPhone 17 models and the Air are being made in India — a reflection of our deepening relationship with the country,” she said, adding the Noida store comes amid strong response to the latest iPhone series.
Earlier this month, Apple also broadened its service portfolio by introducing AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for the latest iPhones.
“We have been innovating and delivering exceptional products and services in India for over 25 years, building meaningful connections with customers and communities, and this next phase of growth reflects our continued commitment to India with another store opening in Mumbai next year as our retail journey expands with energy and purpose,” she added.
Apple opened its first two India stores — Mumbai’s BKC and Delhi’s Saket — in April 2023. In their debut year, the two stores recorded about Rs 800 crore in combined revenue, Moneycontrol reported earlier, making them among Apple’s strongest-performing outlets globally, with nearly 60 percent of sales driven by the smaller Saket store.
This growth has come despite the company already having a broad network of premium resellers and thousands of multi-brand retail partners, alongside sales via its online store and marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart.
“Since the first two Apple stores opened in India in 2023, we’ve continued to evolve how we support customers across the country…We recognise that every customer journey is different…our teams spend a lot of time understanding individual needs. And in India, we’re doing that through unique, personalised offerings,” O’Brien said.
Talent building remains a key part of Apple’s retail play.
“For Apple Noida, and for every store we open in India, we are deeply committed to developing this talent…And as Apple continues to grow in India, we’re looking for great people to join our teams,” she said.
Apple’s India story shifts into higher gear
Apple is expected to sustain strong double-digit growth over the next three to four years, driven by surging iPhone demand and a rapidly expanding ecosystem of MacBooks and iPads.
The momentum will be reinforced by a growing offline retail network, a wider premium reseller base and an expanding manufacturing and supply-chain ecosystem, analysts and sources told Moneycontrol.
The iPhone maker's India revenue climbed 18.26 percent in FY25 to Rs 79,378 crore, according to fresh RoC filings shared by Tofler. Net profit rose 16.4 percent to Rs 3,196 crore, and analysts expect FY26 and FY 27 to deliver growth in a similar range.
With iPhones already commanding an 9 percent volume share and a 28 percent value share in India, analysts say Apple's next leg of growth will come from deepening demand in Tier-2, 3 and smaller cities. Rising sales of MacBooks, iPads and AirPods — combined with a fast-growing network of Apple stores and premium resellers — is further accelerating the company’s India momentum.
Apple joined the ranks of India's top five smartphone makers by volume in Q3 2025, with the country becoming its third-largest iPhone market, Counterpoint data shows.
The brand led the premium-segment value share at 28 percent, up from 22 percent in 2024, fuelled by strong demand for the iPhone 16 and 15 series. The iPhone 17 launch has already outpaced the early demand of its predecessor.
Analysts and industry sources said along with its own stores, Apple is widening its premium reseller network to tap offline retail growth.
"Festive demand was strong, and we're seeing rising iPhone sales in Tier-2, Tier-3 and smaller markets. To sustain this trend, Apple will need to target smaller retailers that currently have limited product availability," said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint.
Apple's installed user base has expanded sharply. "Apple is firmly in the top five, and its revenue growth will remain in double digits for the next few years. Value-wise, it remains number one among handset makers," Pathak said.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
