This is a clear indication, experts say, that the iPhone manufacturer is readying to launch its flagship retail stores in India, a plan that has been in the works since 2015.
The careers page in the Apple India website had four openings with references to Apple’s retail business across various locations in India. These are potentially hundreds of jobs, as a typical Apple store has at least 100 employees, according to industry experts.
Some roles – such as senior manager – refers to “monitor multiple lines of business within the store.” Another role of ‘Store Leader’ refers to “build and manage the various teams that engage customers in this dynamic environment.”
These roles directly link to Apple’s retail business, which includes flagship Apple stores, one of which is reportedly coming up at a 22,000 square foot location in Mumbai in the March quarter of 2023.
Some of these positions have already been filled, according to posts on LinkedIn. Apple’s head of recruiting has reacted to posts of people announcing their job updates of joining Apple retail.
Apple did not immediately respond to ET’s request for comment.
Jobs at Apple Retail come with benefits like stock grants and employee discounts, health insurance, education support, and more.
ET reported in December that the Tata Group would open 100 small exclusive Apple stores of 500-600 square feet each across the country. Apple is in talks with Tata-owned Infiniti Retail for the stores. The group has already started discussions with premium malls and high streets for space.
The job listings are an indication of Apple’s focus on the world’s second largest smartphone market. The company already operates an online store but has not been able to open physical stores so far.
Business has been booming for Apple in India.
The US technology giant is expected to report record shipments in 2023, surpassing the record roughly 6 million it is likely to have shipped in 2022.
Cybermedia Research (CMR) reported that iPhone volumes grew 44% in the July-September quarter in India to over 1.7 million units from the previous quarter.
iPhones command 5% of the total smartphone market, leading with a 40% share of the premium segment in Q3 2022, according to Counterpoint Research. The research firm said the iPhone 13 was the highest selling smartphone during the festive season due to deep discounts and strong demand.
India has been one of the consistent growth markets for Apple, with double-digit revenue increases reported in Apple’s most recent filings.
India features largely in Apple’s plans to diversify its manufacturing reliance away from China.
The Cupertino-based company assembles iPhones, including the latest iPhone 14, through three Taiwanese contract manufacturers – Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron – in southern India. All three are approved under the government’s production-linked incentive scheme for smartphones.
