KOLKATA: Apple is close to signing a deal with Shiv Nadar’s HCL Infosystems to forge a distribution partnership to expand its presence in brick and-mortar retail space, particularly in smaller towns, three senior industry executives said.
The deal is likely to be signed this week and the business may take off next month, they said. HCL has a strong presence in distribution, handling mobile phones of Lenovo, Motorola and Nokia among others, Braun’s electric personal gadgets, and Panasonic’s entire range, covering more than 13,000 retail outlets, including neighbourhood mobile phone stores in smaller markets.