Reliance Retail to shut 16 istores

Reliance Retail is all set to close 16 of its 20 exclusive Apple iStores as some of them don't comply with the global store design specified by the maker of iPhones and iPads. If sources are to be believed non-compliance with international design format is disrupting the US Company’s efforts to increase sales in India.

However, a senior executive who runs a chain of Apple stores, said, "Complying with such specifications in a market like India may not always make business sense since Apple is still a niche brand and in the current economic environment it becomes an added expense to change store design,"

He also informed that of the 16 stores, 12 of them did qualify as per the new Apple norms. But the group decided to convert them into Digital Xpress (outlets) since the stores are in prime locations. These stores will also sell Apple products along with all other leading electronic brands.