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Makeshift Apple stores to launch in India

By Tomas Monzon

KOLATA, India, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Tata-owned consumer electronics chain Croma announced plans to create makeshift Apple stores inside six of its stores.

Tata Group is a multinational conglomerate headquartered in India and owner of various companies specializing in metallurgy, automobiles, hotels and more.

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The 400 to 500 square foot Apple spaces will feature Apple's signature wooden tables inside Croma electronic stores throughout Mumbai -- at Malad, Juhu, Phoenix Mall, Ghatkopar an Oberoi Mall -- as well as the city of Bengaluru. Apple's design, furniture and lighting will be accompanied by Apple-trained sales staff to man the makeshift stores, set to open next month.

Apple currently sells its devices in India through re-sellers that run their own Apple stores as franchises. The company's devices are also available through India's electronics retail stores and some larger neighborhood cell phone retailers.

To this day, Apple has been unable to set up its own stores in the country due to local laws regarding investment in the retail of foreign brands. By teaming up with Croma, the company is able to bypass the red tape and get a miniature version of its stores up and running.

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Apple Insider says meetings regarding the makeshift stores were held as early as 2013.

Apple CEO Tim Cook met with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month. During their meeting, Modi told Cook to consider opening a manufacturing plant in India given a burgeoning app development trend in the country. Additionally, Cook suggested easing Indian laws complicating the establishment of Apple stores.

Apple's market for products in India has grown, with 1.7 million iPhones selling there between October 2014 and September 2015, compared to 1.1 million units the year prior.

iPhone 6s and 6s Plus models are slated to debut in India on Oct. 16. The company will also present the Apple Watch by next month.

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