First day, first present: Enterprise Insider despatched its thriller shopper to Apple’s flagship retailer in Mumbai and was stunned

• Enterprise Insider India’s thriller shopper visited Mumbai’s Apple retailer on the very first day and in contrast it to the shops she visited within the US.
  
• Most guests got here in teams, and some even visited throughout workplace breaks.
  
• Even with numerous guests, Apple Geniuses of all nationalities had been welcoming guests and giving demos.

I’m writing this text on a MacBook Professional — a product that was launched the 12 months I used to be born, 2006. Since then, all Apple merchandise be it iPods, iPads, iPhones or Apple TV have been part of my life. I’ve been to an Apple retailer earlier than too at New Haven in Connecticut, however my most memorable Apple retailer go to is the freshly launched one at Jio World Drive in BKC.

Although I used to be a tad late to be welcomed by Tim Cook dinner, the CEO of Apple, the sensation of euphoria was nonetheless there. There was music enjoying, individuals had been simply as excited even at 12 midday — even within the warmth whereas ready in a queue. There have been two singers belting out songs, performers wearing colourful costumes dancing in entrance of a rapturous viewers.

I stood within the lengthy line for half an hour to enter the shop, the queue appeared to wind indefinitely reminding me of an airport safety line. The Apple crew was sending individuals inside in batches and as anticipated, individuals had been lingering round soaking within the sights. Nevertheless, the grins on the faces of the individuals exiting the shop with tote baggage that had a custom-made Apple emblem on them — made me really feel that the wait was value it.

Mid-day summer time’s warmth

Evidently, the warmth outdoors was palpable – over 36 levels Celsius. However there was one other form of heat round too. The Apple crew was giving out water bottles to these battling the Mumbai solar.

Round me had been individuals of all ages, most of whom had are available teams, and there have been some in workplace apparel too. Forward of me was a Punjabi-Canadian couple who had been in Mumbai for a vacation.

The die-hard Apple followers had penciled a Mumbai retailer go to into their itinerary, and had been eager to purchase merchandise too however had been nervous that the costs right here could be a lot greater than they might in Canada. Behind me was a father- son duo from Mumbai who shared that they’d primarily simply come for the expertise, however would contemplate shopping for a pair of Air pods.

I used to be extraordinarily to study that this BKC retailer is considered one of Apple’s most sustainable retailers to date. It runs utterly on renewable power and is operationally carbon impartial. It appears to be part of Apple’s journey in direction of carbon neutrality. The corporate has dedicated to make use of solely recycled earth components in its magnets, and enhance the usage of much less carbon-intensive transport.

What’s within the retailer?

As I stepped inside, Apple employees of various nationalities had been standing on the door, welcoming us clients effusively. Though the shop was teeming with clients, there have been sufficient Apple Geniuses to information and work together with every particular person.

One of many Geniuses informed me that they had been pleasantly stunned by the magnitude of the group. One other Genius who had been working with Apple for 2 years, stated that she had anticipated it. The shop was choc-a-bloc however there have been many Geniuses all able to reply questions and assist make a purchase order.

Most guests had been exploring the totally different options of iphones, Macbooks and ipads. I, personally, was in awe of the number of equipment on show, particularly Apple Watch Straps. I loved watching the interactive session being performed by a genius and likewise making an attempt out the noise canceling headphones on the Apple Arcade session.

Most first-day guests had been lining as much as purchase equipment, however the retailer employees stated that many laptops and telephones flew off the cabinets as nicely.

This retailer appeared distinctive not simply because it’s the first in India however even compared to others the Mumbai retailer stands out. The shop in New Haven, Connecticut, a a lot smaller construction, was a far much less memorable go to. The employees right here was a lot friendlier and extra affable.

The impressiveness of Apple BKC is way extra akin to that of the Marina Bay Sands Apple Retailer, a spherical construction sitting on the water. Another shops which I haven’t visited however appear mind-blowing are the Apple Tower Theatre in Los Angeles, USA and the Apple Piazza Liberty retailer in Milan, Italy.

The Apple retailer in Dubai Mall has a falcon -themed design, with photo voltaic wings resembling the motion of the chook opening. The shop in Fifth Avenue in New York, an all-night retail retailer also called the ‘Dice’ which has a spiral staircase resulting in a grand corridor beneath the plaza the place it’s positioned. The multilevel Regent Road Retailer in London, England not solely has the longest customized made luminous ceilings panels on the planet however can be listed as a historic façade.

Total, I felt the Mumbai retailer lived as much as the hype and I hope to go to the shop opened in Delhi as nicely.

(The author, Ananya Tawakley is an intern with Enterprise Insider India. The writeup is a primary particular person account of her go to to the Apple retailer.)