World's biggest Samsung store opens in India

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Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd opened its world's biggest mobile store in India on Tuesday. Amid fierce competition from the Chinese bands, the move comes as an attempt by the South Korean tech giant to take pole position in the world's second largest smartphone market.

The store, with an area of roughly 33,000 square feet (3,000 square meter), in the southern tech hub of Bengaluru, will help Samsung extend its lead in India over global rival Apple Inc., which has yet to open any flagship stores in India.

Samsung CEO HC Hong addressing attendees during the inauguration of its world's largest mobile experience center "Samsung Opera House", Bangalore, India, September 11, 2018/VCG Photo

India, which boasts more than a billion wireless connections, presents a lucrative opportunity for smartphone makers to expand beyond China and the United States.

Just two months back, Samsung opened the world's biggest smartphone plant outside the Indian capital New Delhi.

"India is an extremely important market," Mohandeep Singh, senior vice-president, mobile business at Samsung India told Reuters, adding that the company plans to open more such stores in some of India's top 10 cities.

Staff members gave media personnel a guided tour of the newly opened Samsung store in Bengaluru, India, September 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

The new store that features Samsung mobile devices will also showcase its consumer electronics products and latest innovations. It will also house a service center for phones.

Samsung has spent "huge" money to lease out the property, Singh said, declining to give specifics.

Samsung, which runs 2,100 stores in India through franchise partners, is facing off against a host of Chinese brands led by Xiaomi Corp.

Source(s): Reuters