NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel BSE -0.25 % has sought additional stocks of Apple's latest smartphone models, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, amid unprecedented demand, but the Diwali weekend is delaying efforts to replenish stocks.
India's largest mobile phone operator and its smaller rival Reliance Communications, began selling the hugely popular smartphones in the country through bundled offers on November 1 and 2, respectively, but retail chains said on Friday that Apple's premium iPhone 5s model was completely sold out less than 24 hours after its retail launch, while the iPhone 5c model has become the fastest-moving model in stores and was expected to be sold-out during the weekend.
"Airtel has sought additional stocks, and is awaiting Apple's response. Things are a bit delayed, given this is a Diwali weekend," a Bharti Airtel spokesman told ET.
He said that the company had "unexpectedly" seen a very strong response, especially for the more expensive iPhone 5s model. "The stocks have run out in many places, including Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh. We'll have a clearer idea tomorrow (Monday)."
Reliance CommunicationsBSE -0.20 % didn't respond to emailed queries. Both companies had offered attractive offers to entice customers. Consumers could buy the base models of both iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s for no upfront payment, if they bought it with RCOM's bundled offer. They would need to make monthly payments of Rs 2,599 and Rs 2,999, respectively, including unlimited voice calls and data usage.
Bharti Airtel, on the other hand, offered the iPhone 5S and 5C to Indian customers with monthly rental plans that will effectively reduce the cost to consumer by Rs 12,000 over a year. Bharti Airtel will offer 50% discounts on monthly rental plans beginning from Rs 300 and going up to Rs 1,000.
The iPhone models cost Indian consumers betweenRs 41,000 at the low end to more than Rs 71,000 at the top end, with the maximum storage capacity.
The iPhone 5s and 5c has been the best launch ever for Apple, with the company selling a record-breaking nine million units in just three days of the first phase of its global launch on September 20.
Apple's CEO Tim Cook last week acknowledged in an analyst conference call that the company had a significant supply backlog for its iPhone 5s model due to high demand
India's largest mobile phone operator and its smaller rival Reliance Communications, began selling the hugely popular smartphones in the country through bundled offers on November 1 and 2, respectively, but retail chains said on Friday that Apple's premium iPhone 5s model was completely sold out less than 24 hours after its retail launch, while the iPhone 5c model has become the fastest-moving model in stores and was expected to be sold-out during the weekend.
"Airtel has sought additional stocks, and is awaiting Apple's response. Things are a bit delayed, given this is a Diwali weekend," a Bharti Airtel spokesman told ET.
He said that the company had "unexpectedly" seen a very strong response, especially for the more expensive iPhone 5s model. "The stocks have run out in many places, including Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh. We'll have a clearer idea tomorrow (Monday)."
Reliance CommunicationsBSE -0.20 % didn't respond to emailed queries. Both companies had offered attractive offers to entice customers. Consumers could buy the base models of both iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s for no upfront payment, if they bought it with RCOM's bundled offer. They would need to make monthly payments of Rs 2,599 and Rs 2,999, respectively, including unlimited voice calls and data usage.
Bharti Airtel, on the other hand, offered the iPhone 5S and 5C to Indian customers with monthly rental plans that will effectively reduce the cost to consumer by Rs 12,000 over a year. Bharti Airtel will offer 50% discounts on monthly rental plans beginning from Rs 300 and going up to Rs 1,000.
The iPhone models cost Indian consumers betweenRs 41,000 at the low end to more than Rs 71,000 at the top end, with the maximum storage capacity.
The iPhone 5s and 5c has been the best launch ever for Apple, with the company selling a record-breaking nine million units in just three days of the first phase of its global launch on September 20.
Apple's CEO Tim Cook last week acknowledged in an analyst conference call that the company had a significant supply backlog for its iPhone 5s model due to high demand
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