From coaching table tennis for Rs 40 an hour as a college student to leading India’s largest Apple Premium Partner network, Baljinder Paul Singh’s entrepreneurial journey is built on resilience, trust and a long-term vision. With no formal business background, Singh’s first break came through relationships forged during his sporting years, eventually leading him into technology distribution in the mid-1990s. In 1995, he began working with Apple, long before the brand became a household name in India. At a time when Apple was largely associated with desktop computers for publishing and design professionals, Singh saw an opportunity to build a lasting business around customer experience and trust.
Also read: Unicorn Infosolutions Opens 100th Apple Mono Brand Store
Unicorn Infosolutions entered the Apple retail space in 2006 with its first store in Ahmedabad. The expansion that followed mirrors the evolution of Apple’s presence in India: from 10 stores in 2013 to 25 in 2017, 50 in 2023, 75 in 2024, and now an impressive milestone of 100 stores in 2026. Notably, the company has opened as many as 50 stores in just the last three years, reflecting the accelerating demand for premium technology and Apple’s growing ecosystem in the country.
Today, Unicorn operates 100 Apple Premium Partner stores and 39 service centres across nine states and 49 cities, with ambitions to add another 50 stores over the next three years. For Singh, however, the milestone is about more than numbers. Instead, it is the result of three decades of building customer trust, investing in people and creating differentiated retail experiences.
In this conversation with Tech Achieve Media (TAM), Baljinder Paul Singh, Director, Unicorn Infosolutions discusses the company’s growth journey, the future of Apple’s retail ecosystem in India, premiumization trends, AI-driven transformation, expansion into emerging markets, and the strategic decisions that have shaped Unicorn Infosolutions’ success.
TAM: At a time when consumers are increasingly shifting towards online shopping, what value proposition do large-format physical stores continue to offer?
Baljinder Paul Singh: Customers still want to experience Apple products firsthand before making a purchase. Offline stores work extremely well for us because they provide that immersive experience. That’s one of the reasons we’re celebrating our 100th store today. The experience we offer our customers is what truly matters, and it’s a proud moment for all of us. We believe these enriched retail experiences continue to strengthen customer confidence and elevate the Apple ecosystem in India.
TAM: Premiumization has become a major trend in the smartphone market. How are you capitalizing on this trend to deliver a unique experience for consumers?
Baljinder Paul Singh: India has seen significant improvements in affordability through EMI schemes and financing options, making premium products accessible to a wider audience. Customers who initially consider entry-level devices often upgrade to higher-end models like the Pro or Pro Max because financing makes them attainable. Over the last two years, we’ve witnessed substantial growth in demand for the Pro and Pro Max series, which reflects the increasing premiumization of the market.
TAM: Unicorn Infosolutions has an interesting partnership with Zoho. Could you tell us more about it?
Baljinder Paul Singh: Our business has been built on Zoho’s platform from the very beginning. Their suite of software solutions has played a vital role in managing our operations, especially within the SMB segment. Our collaboration with Zoho is still in its early stages, but it’s a relationship we’re excited about. Since our entire business ecosystem already runs on Zoho, we see tremendous potential for future growth together.
TAM: Do you have plans to expand further into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities?
Baljinder Paul Singh: Absolutely. We started our journey with our first store in 2006, and today we’ve reached the milestone of 100 stores. Interestingly, most of our recent expansion over the last two to three years has been in Tier 2, Tier 3 and even Tier 4 cities. Our next phase of growth, including the addition of 50 more stores, will continue to focus on these emerging markets.
TAM: There is considerable competition in the Apple retail space, including Apple’s own stores. What differentiates Unicorn Infosolutions?
Baljinder Paul Singh: Our biggest differentiator is the experience we’ve built over the last 30 years. Customers trust us and have confidence in the ecosystem we’ve created around Apple products and services. Our stores are located in some of the country’s best retail destinations, which also contributes to our growth. Apple’s own retail presence is beneficial for the overall market. It enhances customer experiences and expands the ecosystem, creating opportunities for everyone involved.
TAM: Artificial Intelligence has become a major value proposition across industries. Are you planning to integrate AI into your customer experience?
Baljinder Paul Singh: Yes, AI is an important part of our future strategy. We are currently undertaking a complete digital transformation across the company. Over the coming months, we expect to introduce several AI-powered features and tools that will improve productivity at our stores and enhance the overall customer experience. It’s very much a work in progress, but we’re excited about what’s ahead.
TAM: Reaching 100 stores is a remarkable milestone. What is the next big growth objective for Unicorn Infosolutions?
Baljinder Paul Singh: Our goal is to reach 150 stores over the next three years. We are closely aligned with Apple’s growth strategy in India and see significant opportunities ahead. We are confident that the next 50 stores will become a reality as the market continues to expand.
TAM: Looking back over the last five years, what strategic risk or decision proved instrumental in helping Unicorn achieve this milestone?
Baljinder Paul Singh: In 2019, we became direct partners with Apple, and that was a defining moment for us. It strengthened our supply chain capabilities and enabled us to maintain larger inventories across our stores. Working closely with Apple’s India strategy allowed us to undertake several pilot initiatives and make bold decisions that paid off. The strong partnership and shared vision for building the Apple ecosystem in India have been the biggest drivers of our growth.
TAM: Before we conclude, is there anything you’d like to add?
Baljinder Paul Singh: I would like to sincerely thank our customers for placing their trust in us for both sales and service. Today, we operate 100 stores and 39 service centres across nine states and 49 cities. I would also like to acknowledge our employees and management team, who believed in our vision and worked together to build this ecosystem. Their commitment, along with our customers’ confidence, has made this milestone possible, and we are proud to celebrate it together.
