Apple is expanding its presence in India, with Bengaluru being the next location to receive the Apple retail experience. According to a Business Standard report, the technology company is preparing to establish its third physical store in the country, this time at the Phoenix Mall of Asia in Hebbal, Bengaluru. Apple’s decision is indicative of the company’s increasing affection for India, despite the escalating tensions in the Pacific.
Set to occupy a prime 8,000 square foot location on the mall’s first floor, the new store will be comparable in size to Apple’s Delhi outlet. However, it will still be dwarfed by the brand’s flagship Mumbai store, which spans an impressive 20,800 square feet. Although Bengaluru is not the largest location, it is anticipated that it will be characterized by the same Apple ambiance, including minimalist interiors, expert staff dressed in black tees, and an abundance of glass.
The report also indicated that Apple has leased the location for a period of ten years. Apple will contribute 2% of its store revenue for the initial three years, with the percentage increasing to 2.5% in subsequent years. It further stated, “The lease period began on November 8, 2024, and the rent will commence on August 8, 2025.” This implies that the store may be operational within a few months.
This store is merely a component of a much larger conundrum. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently announced that the company intends to establish four additional retail outlets in India. Pune and Delhi-NCR will be added to Mumbai and Bengaluru. The initial two stores, which were inaugurated in 2023, were perceived as symbolic milestones in Apple’s India expansion; however, this third inauguration signifies a much more irrevocable development.
India has become a critical component of Apple’s global strategy, not only as a sales market but also as a significant manufacturing center. Cook informed analysts during Apple’s Q2 2025 earnings call that the majority of iPhones sold in the United States will be labeled “Made in India” by June. In the interim, the preponderance of iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and AirPods that are sold in the United States will be manufactured in Vietnam.
However, the atmosphere in Washington is anything but tranquil, as Apple continues to broaden its presence in South and Southeast Asia. In an effort to encourage Apple to return to domestic production, President Donald Trump has issued a warning shot, threatening a 25% tariff on iPhones that are not manufactured in the United States. It is the most recent development in the ongoing US-China trade dispute, which appears to be engulfing India and Vietnam.
What is still uncertain is whether these imminent tariffs will necessitate Apple to reconsider its international investments. However, it is evident that Apple has no intention of pausing operations in India, as evidenced by the company’s current tempo and the fact that the ink has dried on a decade-long lease in Bengaluru. With the addition of additional stores and India’s growing significance in Apple’s global supply chain.
