Edible Apple

Apple’s retail guru Ron Johnson may have left the company, but Apple remains steadfastly committed to rolling out more and more retail shops across the globe.

In that vien, livemint reported last week that Apple is considering opening up its first retail store in India. Interestingly, the option for Apple only became available recently following the Indian government’s about face with respect to allowing “full ownership of single-brand retail stores by foreign companies.”

Of course, it’s not as if Apple products can’t be found in India as Apple has reseller agreements in place with large retailers such as Imagine and iStore.

While it remains unclear to what extent Apple may explore retail options in India, the “doors are now open” a government official said.

The government last week notified the single-brand retail policy, allowing 100% FDI in single-brand retail trading and consequently set the stage for global retail firms to roll out investments to open fully-owned stores in India. The move freed up the 51% limit that had been in place.

However, proposals involving FDI beyond 51% will have to mandatorily source at least 30% of the total value of the products sold from Indian small industries, village and cottage industries, and artisans and craftsmen.

When asked whether the 30% local sourcing clause will be a hindrance, the DIPP official said, “Let Apple finalize its business plan and the investment it wants to make. If they tell us that the 30% sourcing is a problem, at that stage we will look into it,” he said.

Apple, per usual, had no comment on the matter.