Apple to make India its own region, using what it ‘learned in China’ to scale in the increasingly critical market
- The international management reshuffle will give the Asian nation increased prominence inside the tech giant
- Apple posted record revenue in India last quarter, and has created an online store for the region with plans for first retail outlets in the country this year
The shift will mark the first time that India becomes its own sales region at Apple, which has seen demand surge in the country. That will give the south Asian nation increased prominence inside the tech giant, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the move hasn’t been announced.
Apple is making the change after its vice-president in charge of India, the Middle East, Mediterranean, East Europe and Africa – Hugues Asseman – recently retired. With his departure, the iPhone maker is promoting its head of India, who reported to Asseman. That executive, Ashish Chowdhary, will now report directly to Michael Fenger, Apple’s head of product sales.
A company spokesman declined to comment.
The company posted record revenue in India last quarter, even as its total sales slipped 5 per cent. Apple has created an online store to serve the region and is planning to open its first retail outlets in the country later this year. On the last earnings call, chief executive officer Tim Cook said the company is putting “a lot of emphasis on the market” and compared the current state of its work in India to its early years in China.