OnePlus plans to abandon offline sales in India, focusing on online channels. Stores are closing, with service support expanding via OPPO centers. This strategic shift may set a new industry trend.
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OnePlus is reportedly planning a major strategic shift in one of its key markets. According to insider information, the company is preparing to almost completely abandon offline sales in India, focusing instead on online channels and marketplaces.
The company's partner-branded stores have apparently already been instructed to close, with only a few company-owned outlets remaining operational. Distributors have been given a deadline of March 31 to sell off remaining device inventory without any transition period, raising concerns about potential financial losses and credit defaults.
Simultaneously, OnePlus has announced expanded service support—owners can now access OPPO service centers. Sources suggest this move aims to reassure customers amid the reduction in retail infrastructure and potential decrease in the brand's physical presence.
This development occurs against a backdrop of rumors about more extensive changes. Previous reports hinted at possible scaling back of OnePlus's global operations, and the head of the Indian division has already departed. While the company hasn't officially confirmed such radical plans, the ongoing changes point to significant business restructuring.
If confirmed, OnePlus could become one of the first major brands to nearly completely abandon traditional retail in favor of an online model, potentially setting a new trend for the entire industry.