Apple Opens First Retail Store in India as It Looks to Country for Manufacturing

Apple Inc. opened its first retail store in India Tuesday, with Chief Executive Tim Cook celebrating the launch in person, as the company ramps up efforts to diversify its supply chain and boost smartphone sales in the world’s most populous country.

The tech company opened a bricks-and-mortar location in Mumbai, a financial hub in India, and said it is planning to open a second location Thursday in New Delhi, India’s capital.

Mr. Cook said earlier this year that he was focused on India, where Apple has been using financing options and trade-ins to make its products more affordable compared with cheaper alternatives from China.

“India is [a] hugely exciting market for us and is a major focus,” he said on Apple’s earnings call in February.

Fuelling Apple’s push into India is an ambitious project to diversify more of its supply chain away from China. For more than 20 years, Apple’s primary base of manufacturing has been China. But recent turmoil in its China operations has propelled Apple to more aggressively move operations to other countries, such as Vietnam and India, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Outside of China, India is viewed by Apple as the main candidate for producing the iPhone, the company’s most important product that still accounts for roughly half of its sales. India currently accounts for less than 10% of global iPhone production, mostly for selling into the domestic market. Apple’s longer-term goal is to produce 40% to 45% of its iPhones from India, according to Ming-chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities who follows the supply chain.

Apple has encountered problems of building up iPhone manufacturing in India, the Journal previously reported. India doesn’t have the same level top-down governmental coordination that is found in China, which has previously helped clear the way for Apple to build up operations to the scale it needs in the country.

Apple’s main manufacturing partner, Foxconn Technology Group, is also considering a major expansion into India, including expanding iPhone production in an existing plant near Chennai, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Journal reported last month.

Apple has struggled to gain traction in India, where the company previously had mostly been selling its products online or through resellers and retail chains.

India is the world’s second-biggest smartphone market, both in terms of annual shipments and sales, according to market intelligence firm IDC. It accounts for almost 12% of the global market.

The retail stores are among Apple’s first steps to try to increase its sales in India. Apple is projected to have a 5% share of the country’s overall smartphone market this year, up from 1% in 2019, according to Counterpoint Research.

The multi storey Mumbai shop is in a bustling commercial area. Apple said the store will use solar panels and renewable energy. It is expected to be one of the company’s most energy-efficient locations. The company has more than 520 stores worldwide, according to its website.

Mr. Cook tweeted a picture of himself outside the Mumbai store on Tuesday, saying, “The energy, creativity, and passion in Mumbai is incredible!”

Property prices are rising, and buyer confidence is improving, making it an appealing time to start building a property portfolio.

But while the idea of owning multiple properties is attractive, many investors chase passive income without a clear strategy.

This can lead to over-leveraging and financial stress when interest rates rise or market conditions shift.

A smarter approach is to build a balanced portfolio that considers income, capital growth and risk.

Here are six key factors to weigh up before you begin.

Start with your current position

The foundation of any successful portfolio is understanding where you stand.

Before buying your first or next property, be clear on how much capital you have, your borrowing capacity and the level of risk you can comfortably manage.

Too many investors rush into high-yield assets without considering whether they suit their circumstances.

The result can be properties that look good on paper but prove difficult to hold.

Knowing your financial position helps determine whether to focus on cash-flow-positive properties, growth assets or a balanced mix of both.

Target assets that deliver real value

Not all properties are equal. When building a portfolio designed to generate income, quality matters more than headline yield.

In the commercial sector, smaller retail assets can offer a practical entry point.

They are often more affordable than large industrial properties while still delivering solid rental returns and value-add potential.

A tenancy leased below market rates, for example, can become a strategic purchase. When the lease is reviewed, bringing rent in line with market levels can lift both income and capital value.

Simple improvements such as updated fit-outs, better amenities or modest refurbishments can also increase tenant demand and justify higher rents.

Focusing on assets where you can influence performance helps create sustainable income and build equity for future investments.

Residential properties still play an important role

Residential property remains a core component of a balanced portfolio, offering stability to complement commercial holdings.

Long-term capital growth is largely driven by land value, so buying in areas with limited supply and strong demand can support future appreciation.

Dual-income strategies can also strengthen returns.

Adding a granny flat or secondary dwelling to a house can increase rental income without the need to purchase another property.

This approach can boost cash flow while keeping debt exposure manageable.

Use leverage carefully

Leverage can accelerate portfolio growth, but it also increases risk.

Before taking on additional debt, stress-test each purchase.

Consider whether you could comfortably hold the property if interest rates rose by several percentage points, and ensure you have buffers for vacancies or unexpected costs.

For business owners and SMSF investors, borrowing can provide access to assets that might otherwise be out of reach.

However, decisions should be based on what you can sustainably manage, not simply on how much a lender is willing to approve.

Diversify across and within asset classes

A resilient portfolio is built on diversification across locations, asset types and ownership structures.

Investing across different states can help manage land tax thresholds and take advantage of varying property cycles.

Within commercial property, combining retail, medical and selected office assets can reduce reliance on a single sector.

In residential markets, balancing growth-focused properties with income-producing assets can improve performance across changing conditions.

Ownership structures also matter. Whether property is held personally, in a trust or through an SMSF should align with long-term tax planning and wealth objectives.

Professional advice can help ensure the portfolio is positioned for sustainable growth.

Focus on creating income, not just finding it

One of property’s advantages is the ability to actively improve returns.

Renovations, secondary dwellings and reviewing under-market leases can increase both rental income and capital value.

These strategies allow investors to generate equity and strengthen cash flow without relying solely on market growth.

The goal is not to own the most properties, but to own the right ones.

A small number of well-selected, well-managed assets often outperform a scattered portfolio built without a clear strategy.

Financial independence is more likely when a portfolio supports itself and delivers a steady, reliable income stream.

Abdullah Nouh is the founder of Mecca Property Group, a boutique buyer’s agency in Melbourne helping Australians build wealth through strategic property investment.