After a delay with its offline store, Apple postpones the launch of its online store too says report

• Apple has reportedly postponed the launch of its online store in India to Q3 2020.
• Apple’s offline retail store in Mumbai has also been delayed and may be launched next year.

Tech giant Apple has reportedly postponed its plans to launch its online store in India. It was earlier expected to launch in Q1 2020, but has been pushed back by six months.

In August 2019, the Indian government eased sourcing norms for single brand retailers, paving the way for companies like Apple to set up their own online stores without having to establish a brick and mortar presence. Back then, a report said that Apple will launch its online store within 3-5 months

Tentative deadline set for Q3 2020 launch

Citing sources familiar with the matter, a TechCrunch report now claims that Apple is currently working on the logistics of setting up its online store in India. The new tentative deadline has been set between July and September. Apple CEO Tim Cook will reportedly plan a trip to India for the announcement.

Offline Apple store could be launched next year

Last year, it was reported that Apple has started working on its first offline retail store in the country, which will come up in the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. As per the source, the offline store will not be ready this year as it requires a few more months to set up.

Apple currently sells its products via third-party offline retailers and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart and Paytm. There have been reports that Apple executives were not happy with the discounts being offered by such platforms as it reflected poorly on the brand. But the plans to go on their own - both online and offline- seems to have hit an air pocket.

See also:

India opens the door for Apple retail with new foreign investment rules

India’s first Apple Store opening in the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai

Apple's webstore could be up and running in 5 months as India eases FDI norms