The next version of iPad from the Apple stable is already generating sustained interest from retailers. Retail chains and premium Apple resellers, who sell the world's most popular tablet, note that Apple is finally taking note of the Indian consumer's purchasing power.
According to market rumours, it is supposed to go on sale from March 16 onwards in the US. Sources indicate that the new tablet may hit Indian shores sooner compared to the earlier launches.
“Apple has been thinking about the Indian consumers considering the demand that iPad 2 has been generating in India. It is a credit to Indian consumer's purchasing powers. People in India are keen on buying the technology on the day of its launch and Apple should focus on making the product available here as well,” Mr Ajit Joshi, CEO and Managing Director, Croma, said. Croma, a part of Tata-owned Infiniti Retail, markets Apple products and accessories.
pricing strategy
Mr Joshi said that Croma is still awaiting Apple's pricing strategy and also details on the iPad's launch in the Indian market. “When iPad 2 was launched, we ran out of supply. We hope this time around, Apple can manage its supply to the Indian consumers.”
Reliance Digital, which is a premium reseller of Apple products through its retail venture iStore, is understood to be scaling up the number of iStores from 19 to 22 by April.
Sources said iPad sales have seen consistent growth and students contribute as much as 18 per cent of the total sales at iStore. iWorld, another exclusive Apple reseller in India, said that typically, it takes about three-four months for the products to arrive in India. The company said it sells at least 150 iPads a month.
Industry estimate suggests that Indian consumers will buy around 85,000 tablet PCs in 2012. Players such as Apple, Samsung, RIM, and Motorola cater to the high-end segment of tablet PCs priced between Rs 29,000 and Rs 48,000. Many Indian players, including Reliance Communications, Beetel, Wespro, and LACs Magnum, cater to the middle and low segments.
A Frost & Sullivan report said that Indians bought three lakh units of tablets in 2011 compared to around 60,000 tablets in 2010.