The last of the so-called “big three” Russian mobile operators who refused to renew the contract with Apple was Vimpelcom. Megafon and MTS also arrived earlier.
The contract between Apple and Vimpelcom expired at the end of March this year, but until recently the companies continued to cooperate. However, as soon as it became known that Apple does not intend to change the terms of delivery of its smartphones to Russia, Vimpelcom refused to continue working together.
The main reason for this gap was the large marketing costs that the American company demanded from its distributors. In addition, companies were required to purchase about 1.5 million devices in two years, which significantly exceeds the demand for the iPhone in Russia, given its market value.
Now there is talk about the possibility that Apple will independently engage in sales in our country. However, this fact is unlikely, given that usually the company does not work according to such a scheme in foreign markets. In any case, Apple has now lost its biggest Russian allies, who control 80% of the market.
Meanwhile, Vimpelcom has already managed to conclude an agreement with Apple’s main rival, Samsung. And MTS has strengthened sales of Windows Phone and Nokia devices.What, in general, does this mean for the Russian market, which is currently in fifth place in terms of downloads from the App Store?
Not so much. Apple smartphones have always been very expensive in official sales channels. They were bought from “gray” suppliers at a more adequate price. And the rupture of relations with Vimpelcom does not affect the situation as a whole in any way.
This, in turn, means that the dynamics of the App Store in Russia is not in danger.
Sources: www.vedomosti.ru , www.cnews.ru , businesspskov.ru , www.bloomberg.com , www.rethink-wireless.comPhoto: