In the past two years, Xiaomi has expanded its chain of offline stores across formats - 6,000 Mi Preferred Partner stores and 75 Mi Homes on a franchise-based model, besides exclusive small-format Mi Stores added last year to penetrate Tier-II, -III and -IV cities and towns.
This programme will offer Xiaomi phone users up to 70 per cent of the value on their old device when they upgrade to newer Redmi or Mi smartphones.
The Chinese smartphone maker's focus on offline retail has helped it overtake Samsung in top 50 cities in India.
From spreading updates about the brand and upcoming devices to creating personalised world-of-mouth goodwill for Xiaomi -- its online army of fans have swelled parallelly with Xiaomi's fortunes in the country.
Xiaomi proposes to increase its content and software tie-ups
Xiaomi now a lifestyle player, quietly launching a slew of non-smartphone products like Mi branded luggage, backpacks, apparel, U-shaped pillows, pens, home security cameras and air purifiers.
Chinese mobile brands are deeply entrenched in the Indian market. A move to bar them may send a bold diplomatic message. But its cost for the local industry is anybody's guess. In the event that Chinese brands face curbs, two handset makers - Samsung and Apple - squarely stand to gain.
From auto, refrigerator, and mobile handset makers to real estate firms, companies are tying up with banks to dole out attractive finance schemes and discounts to make buying more affordable.
