APPLE STORE EMPLOYEES

Unionised US Apple store votes to authorise strike

Unionized workers at a Maryland Apple store voted on Saturday to authorize a strike, which would mark the first such labor action against the retailer in the United States if it goes forward. Employees at the Apple store in the town of Towson, outside of Baltimore, voted to unionize in 2022 -- another first for the iPhone maker's US stores.

Apple's Tim Cook is nearing retirement age, but who will succeed him?

Speculation mounts over Tim Cook's successor as Apple CEO amid nearing retirement age. Candidates include COO Jeff Williams and hardware chief John Ternus. Cook's tenure marked by product expansion and financial success, but finding a visionary successor poses challenges for the tech giant.

Atlan’s valuation nearly doubles; decoding PB Fintech’s FY24 financials

Data collaboration software startup Atlan has raised $105 million at nearly double the valuation since its last round. Details on this and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

A year on, Apple’s India stores emerge among its best globally

Apple's two company-owned stores in India have achieved significant revenue, each generating between Rs 190-210 crore last fiscal year. The stores, located in Mumbai and New Delhi, have consistently achieved monthly sales of Rs 16-17 crore each since their launch. Apple is now aggressively looking for space to open three more company-owned stores in Pune, Bengaluru, and Noida. The stores have become popular destinations for customers to experience Apple products and receive expert advice, contributing to the company's growth in India's smartphone market.

India’s bumper Apple harvest; GCCs go wider to hunt talent

The iPhone has driven India’s mobile exports to over $15 billion in FY24. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

Quick-commerce grows beyond grocery; Tribe Capital’s latest India bet

Happy Friday! Quick-commerce platforms like Zepto, Swiggy’s Instamart, and Zomato-owned Blinkit are seeing a surge in sales for non-grocery items as they take on ecommerce rivals. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Apple's New Jersey store workers file petition for unionisation

Companies including coffee-chain Starbucks, ecommerce firm Amazon.com and software giant Microsoft are facing unionisation efforts from employees who want better working conditions.

Why iPhone is no more the Apple of China's eyes

iPhone's China shipments have been declining for three straight months, as per a report by Bloomberg, with February sales down a staggering 33% compared to last year. This follows a 39% drop in January and a 30% decline in December. According to the report, some analysts predict this downward trend will continue throughout 2024, deepening the 24% decline Apple experienced in 2023.

Has China lost its taste for the iPhone?

Evidence is mounting that, for many in China, the iPhone no longer holds the appeal it used to. During the first six weeks of the year, historically a peak season for Chinese shoppers to spring for a new phone, iPhone sales fell 24% from a year earlier, according to Counterpoint Research, which analyzes the smartphone market.

Byju’s defence in NCLT; deep dive into quick-commerce play

The Bengaluru bench of NCLT asked the petitioner – Glas Trust Company LLC – to issue a notice to Byju's for defaulting on payment of the $1.2-billion term loan B it had guaranteed for its US subsidiary Alpha Inc. It also gave Byju’s parent Think & Learn three weeks to file its objections to the petition filed by Glas Trust.

Last Week Tonight host John Oliver takes a jab at Apple TV+

Last Week Tonight's, John Oliver hilariously took on Apple TV+ while shedding light on Dollar store operations. While discussing retail worker grievances on TikTok, Oliver highlighted the gravity of an armed robbery, contrasting it humorously with ignoring spam calls or a broken light bulb—anything akin to a show on Apple TV.

Epic Games is laying off about 830 employees, divesting Bandcamp

The videogame company will also spin-off most of SuperAwesome, which Epic Games acquired in 2020. SuperAwesome is a platform for developers to include kid-safety tools in their products.

iPhone 15: A look at Apple’s over 15 years India journey from Rs 31,000 iPhone to today’s mass hysteria

iPhone 15 launch at Wonderlust event: Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 15 lineup and new Apple watches at its annual event on September 12. Over the past 15 years, Apple has seen significant growth in India, with milestones including the debut of the iPhone 3G in 2008, the crossing of $1 billion in revenue in 2015, and the opening of its first retail stores in 2023. Apple has been increasing its production in India, with nearly 7% of iPhones now being made in the country.

Haryana unrest: food, ecommerce companies say operations disrupted

The disruptions were caused by violence in some pockets of Gurugram and Faridabad districts, in addition to internet connectivity being suspended in some of these regions ordered by local authorities, multiple executives said.

Crisis deepens at Dunzo as it further delays staff salaries; Indian investors double down on Big Tech stocks

Dunzo told employees that it understands the delay in salaries is ‘very difficult’ and that the firm appreciates the patience.

Things aren’t as bad as you think: Byju Raveendran tells employees; I-T dept follows social media influencers

Despite his eponymous edtech facing a series of setbacks, founder and CEO Byju Raveendran struck a determined and optimistic note in a virtual townhall with employees on Thursday, telling them the company would bounce back. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

Startup audits in focus as malfeasance climbs; Apple’s App Store payments policy under review

Over the past year, many venture-funded startups such as BharatPe, Byju's, Zilingo, Rahul Yadav's 4B Networks, and now Mojocare, have come under the spotlight for lapses in governance and even allegations of fraud. Now, audit firms are approaching VCs to help scrutinise their portfolio companies, sources have told ET. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Apple Store employees earn Rs 1 lakh per month. This is why

Apple store employees in India are highly qualified, well paid

Apple's newly opened stores in India are said to have set a new standard in hiring retail staff. The company has recruited over 170 experienced employees, many of whom have degrees from foreign universities, including Cambridge and Australia's Griffith University.

Tim Cook flags off Apple retail in India with Apple BKC

Apple BKC — and two days later, Apple Saket — signal Apple’s growing emphasis on India, which is rapidly emerging a key market for the company

Apple Delhi retail store to open Thursday at 10 AM, employ 70 people

“We’re thrilled to bring the best of Apple to our customers in Delhi with the opening of our second store in India, Apple Saket,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of retail. “Our incredible team members look forward to connecting with the local community and helping them find new ways to pursue their passions and unleash their creativity through our amazing products and services.”

Thousands of Apple fans turn up for first India store opening

Chants of “BKC” echoed as the event crew, dressed in green T-shirts and blue-back denims, celebrated the store location in signature Apple fashion. It was all cheers for “Gangnam” just last month as the company opened its new retail store in Seoul, South Korea.

Ahead of Apple BKC store opening, Tim Cook enjoys his first-ever vada pav & meets Akash Ambani

Cook also hosted a private party for the B-town celebrities before the store opening.