Apple reportedly planning to set up a dedicated distribution centre in India

Apple knows that India forms a crucial part of its global expansion plans. With Google Pixel too coming in for a pie in Indian market share, Apple seems to have got onto its toes to consolidate its logistics operations in the country.

According to an Economic Times report, Apple is planning to set up a dedicated distribution centre in partnership with its logistics provider DB Schenker – who will own and operate the same in India. The move is aimed at safeguarding common pricing for offline and online sales and securing greater control over the supply chain.

Citing two senior industry officials, the report claims that Apple has roped in its global logistic partner ‘DB Schenker’ to set up operations at Bhiwandi near Mumbai. Being one of Europe’s largest logistics companies, the company has entrusted them with the job of handling their fastest growing markets.

“The distribution centre will allow Apple to stock its products adequately, will ease operations and streamline its logistics and supply chains. It will also help in maintaining uniform price for its products, which will become much easier under the Goods and Services Tax regime,” said one of the officials.

Tim Cook has time and again stressed that India is one of Apple’s key market and the Cupertino giant has been trying hard to get approval for setting up own-brand retail stores in India.

The tech giant is also widening distribution to the smaller cities and working with application developers. The company was the country’s second-largest smartphone maker by revenue in 2015-16, overtaking local rival Micromax Informatics after sales increased 54 percent to Rs 9,997.1 crore as compared to Rs 6472.89 crore last year.