Apple's yet-to-be opened Delhi store has turned into a selfie spot

For now, a colourful Walled City-inspired barricade blocks the storefront from curious gazes

There is still a week to go before the Apple store opens its doors at Select Citywalk mall in New Delhi, and it has already become a selfie point.

A barricade in rainbow colours covers the storefront. Inspired by the Walled City, the barricade features the many Mughal-era gates of Delhi.

Curious onlookers crowd the corridor outside the storefront, many whipping out their phones to get clicked against the colourful gates.

Sandeep Yadav, 21, a student of Delhi University’s College of Vocational Studies, is outside the store with a group of friends. “It’s a pretty spot,” he says, adding that he is looking forward to Apple coming to India.

“I have been thinking of buying an iPad for some time now. In fact, I was just checking out prices at another electronic store,” he says. “With Apple coming to town, I’m going to put my purchase on hold and wait for any inaugural offers it might have.”

Another group of friends walks by the store before pausing to ask a fellow onlooker to click their photo. The women, who are out for brunch, assemble in a line against the barricade. There are ‘victory signs’ and gleeful smiles.

The store has as its neighbours skincare brand the Body Shop on the left and leather accessory major Da Milano on the right.

Prachi Gupta, 27, and Neelofar Khan, 26, sales executives at the Body Shop outlet, are looking forward to their high-profile neighbour’s launch on April 20. “There is visible hype around the store already. People crowd the corridor outside all day, clicking photos. We hope the launch will translate into higher sales for us, too,” says Gupta.

Ridhi, a sales executive at Da Milano who gives only her first name, echoes the sentiment. “Maybe people, after buying a laptop from the Apple store, will turn to us to pick up a laptop bag, and business will get better for us as well,” she smiles.

Meanwhile, a fresh crowd has assembled outside the store, excitedly discussing what the brand’s launch means for them.

An Apple products enthusiast, who does not wish to be named, says the store’s presence is something he is definitely looking forward to. “I’d prefer to buy straight from the brand than resellers.”

He’ll have to wait a week though. Access to the store is firmly sealed for now. The staff at the mall says there is a back entrance exclusively for the workers giving shape to the store. Apple is known to give its stores an experiential look and feel – with glass staircases, cubes and all. It looks at its stores as “Town Squares”, spaces where people can meet and spend quality time. So, it won’t be a surprise if the store also becomes a space for Apple-hosted conferences and community events.

For now, one can only speculate through the rainbow gates.