Mobile retailers tap Apple over discriminatory offers – Technology News – Life Changer

Mobile retailers tap Apple over discriminatory offers – Technology News

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Mobile retailers on Monday accused Apple of anti-competitive practices in the country with regard to its cashback offers on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models.

According to All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA), which represents over 150,000 mobile phone retailers, Apple has allowed its own stores as well as large format retailers to offer a cashback of Rs10,000 on 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max models. On the other hand, the retail channels are allowed to offer only Rs 3,000 cashback on the same models.

The cashback offer was announced by Apple on April 6.

“This is purely an anticompetitive move favouring few…This discrepancy not only poses a significant risk of loss in sales for the retail channels but also raises concerns of unfair competition,” said Navneet Pathak, national joint general secretary at AIMRA, in a letter to Ashish Chowdhary, managing director of Apple India.

According to Pathak, such action from Apple may potentially divert loyal customers of their retailers to large-format retailers. “Such actions undermine the trust and confidence we have diligently built with our customers over time,” he added.

In September last year, Apple launched iPhone 15 series in India at par with global markets. The iPhone 15 is priced at `79,900, the iPhone 15 Plus starts at Rs89,900, the iPhone 15 Pro starts at Rs1,34,900, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is priced at `1,59,900.

In its letter, AIMRA has urged the company for a level playing field in its promotional offers, and asked it to correct the offers.

“AIMRA firmly believes in fostering transparent and equitable business practices that uphold the interests of all stakeholders. We are committed to collaborating with Apple India to find constructive solutions that address these challenges while strengthening our partnership,” Pathak said.

In FY24, iPhone production in the country was worth over Rs1 trillion. In terms of value, iPhone exports from the country are expected to nearly double to Rs80,000 crore in FY24 from `40,000 crore in the previous financial year, according to industry estimates.

According to market research firm Canalys, Apple ended 2023 with a 7% market share, up from 4% in 2022.

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