Apple Watch has the typical Apple fever spread across the globe right now, something we often comes across with iPhone and iPad devices. Tech reviewers give them utmost time and efforts, people take analytical look at the product, rave about its design and quality but yet falter to define its usability value.
Available across varied markets right now, Apple Watch is their first-ever wearable entrant which is why the initial excitement is more than expected. Tim Cook described its worth being comparable to lifestyle-cum-functional devices and something that is confined to the iOS ecosystem. The Watch comes in different variants; sports, fashion and lastly they even have a luxury edition which comes with the promise of exclusive and chauffeur like services.
We're almost half-way into 2015 and yet there is no big excitement from Apple's end to launch the Watch in India which hardly comes as a surprise to one and all. However, that hasn't stopped people from getting their own Watch via shipping from US or get them brought over by incoming relative or friend. It is expected to be priced starting from Rs 35,000 in the country (if we assume the current conversion rate from dollars), making it a high-end wearable product and desirable only to the Apple fanboys.
But here's our problem (and maybe Apple's too), even if the Watch comes to India, where exactly do they plan to sell it? It's easy to remember that unlike global markets, Apple isn't dealing with consumers over here via its premium retail outlets, instead we end up doing the hard slog over at Apple reseller stores which are nowhere close to the level of parent format.
So, what can Apple do to ensure the product and service remains at par with their global standards? They can definitely look at high-street brand and locations to sell its exclusive gold edition Apple Watch, who can cater to the high demands of owning the luxury variant. Secondly, what about the entry-level Watch variants like Sports and Fashion? They aren't still affordable enough to sell through multi-brand outlets. These are big questions that Apple needs to answer for itself before making the Apple Watch plunge into India. Here are a few options which Apple could probably try working around with:
Apple Watch Sports: Fitness outlets like Adidas, Puma could be one option that can be looked at to sell the fitness-oriented model
Apple Watch (basic): The only logical positioning of this one is confined to the Apple reseller stores. Or they can even look at tying up with names like Swatch, Titan etc.
Apple Watch gold edition: It's got be high-class hotels with limited store boutiques which can offer the service a $20,000 wearable deserves.
Available across varied markets right now, Apple Watch is their first-ever wearable entrant which is why the initial excitement is more than expected. Tim Cook described its worth being comparable to lifestyle-cum-functional devices and something that is confined to the iOS ecosystem. The Watch comes in different variants; sports, fashion and lastly they even have a luxury edition which comes with the promise of exclusive and chauffeur like services.
We're almost half-way into 2015 and yet there is no big excitement from Apple's end to launch the Watch in India which hardly comes as a surprise to one and all. However, that hasn't stopped people from getting their own Watch via shipping from US or get them brought over by incoming relative or friend. It is expected to be priced starting from Rs 35,000 in the country (if we assume the current conversion rate from dollars), making it a high-end wearable product and desirable only to the Apple fanboys.
But here's our problem (and maybe Apple's too), even if the Watch comes to India, where exactly do they plan to sell it? It's easy to remember that unlike global markets, Apple isn't dealing with consumers over here via its premium retail outlets, instead we end up doing the hard slog over at Apple reseller stores which are nowhere close to the level of parent format.
So, what can Apple do to ensure the product and service remains at par with their global standards? They can definitely look at high-street brand and locations to sell its exclusive gold edition Apple Watch, who can cater to the high demands of owning the luxury variant. Secondly, what about the entry-level Watch variants like Sports and Fashion? They aren't still affordable enough to sell through multi-brand outlets. These are big questions that Apple needs to answer for itself before making the Apple Watch plunge into India. Here are a few options which Apple could probably try working around with:
Apple Watch Sports: Fitness outlets like Adidas, Puma could be one option that can be looked at to sell the fitness-oriented model
Apple Watch (basic): The only logical positioning of this one is confined to the Apple reseller stores. Or they can even look at tying up with names like Swatch, Titan etc.
Apple Watch gold edition: It's got be high-class hotels with limited store boutiques which can offer the service a $20,000 wearable deserves.
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