Apple partners with Flipkart to sell iPhone 7
Apple has partnered with Flipkart to sell itsiPhone 7 on the Bengaluru-based etailer's platform from October 7. Flipkart
will source iPhone 7 directly from Apple, unlike previous years when it would
source the phones from third-party sellers.
This is
the first time that Apple has partnered with a consumer-facing online player to
sell a new iPhone version. Infibeam, which has been an Apple partner for some
years, will also receive the new iPhones directly , but it is known more as a
bulk seller, one that does not deal with consumers directly .
The
development was first reported by online portal BGR.in. When contacted by TOI,
Flipkart declined to comment on the matter while an e-mail sent to the Apple
India spokesperson did not elicit any response.
Flipkart,
which has the largest etail market share in India, generates a major chunk of
its revenues from sales of smartphones. Multiple smartphone brands, including
Motorola and LeEco, sell exclusively on Flipkart. TOI reported on September 22
that Flipkart sold 1 lakh units of Motorola's latest E3 range in 24 hours on
Tuesday .
The
iPhone 7 deal should give Flipkart a leg up, at a time when it is facing stiff
competition from American rival Amazon which has been investing heavily in the
Indian market. The tie-up may help provide fresh excitement during the festival
season sales.Amazon too may offer iPhone 7s on its platform, but the absence of
a direct deal with Apple will mean the margins it gets will be lower, and it
will probably have less flexibility in managing the supply chain.
(TOI)
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