Nothing Opens First Retail Store in India, Signaling Growth in Key Market
India is poised to become an even more central hub for Nothing, the consumer technology company, as it inaugurates its first retail location in Bengaluru. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the London-based firm, backed by Tiger Global, and underscores the country’s importance as its largest market.
Expanding Footprint in a Strategic Market
The two-story store in Bengaluru was deliberately chosen due to the high concentration of Nothing’s Indian user base, according to a company statement. The location isn’t simply a sales outlet; it’s designed to be an immersive brand experience. Customers will have the opportunity to purchase Nothing’s hardware products and merchandise, as well as access customization options for select items.
“We wanted to create a fun space,” explained the company’s co-founder and CEO. “It is kind of inspired by all the parts that are related to the brand. For instance, the factory: if you buy a product, there’s like a production line where the product comes out. We also show machines where phones go through testing, like USB port testing or water resistance testing. So we just wanted to bring that world together.”
Dual-Brand Strategy: Nothing and CMF
The Bengaluru store will showcase products from both Nothing and CMF, its recently launched budget-focused sub-brand. CMF is uniquely positioned, with its headquarters located in India and a joint venture established with local original design manufacturer, Optiemus.
The company leadership emphasized a clear differentiation between the two brands. “Nothing is more niche with a higher price,” one executive stated. “CMF is more [targeted towards] mass. You know it’s mass, but it’s not like just off-the-shelf rebrand products that usually what occurs in this price point. They are also products that we put a lot of care into.” This strategy allows Nothing to cater to a broader range of consumers while maintaining distinct brand identities.
Rapid Growth and Market Share Gains
Nothing has experienced impressive growth in India, capturing over 2% of the smartphone market share, as reported by the analyst firm IDC to TechCrunch last year. The company was also identified as the fastest-growing brand in the country during the second quarter of 2025, achieving an 85% year-over-year increase in shipments.
This success is occurring alongside similar moves by other major hardware manufacturers. Apple, for example, is preparing to open its sixth retail store in India this month, located in Borivali, Mumbai, demonstrating a growing trend of companies investing in physical retail presence in the region.
Global Expansion Plans
While this Bengaluru location represents Nothing’s first retail expansion outside of its London headquarters, the company has ambitious plans for further global reach. Future stores are planned for Tokyo and New York, though specific opening timelines have not yet been disclosed.
The company’s aggressive expansion is supported by substantial funding. Nothing secured $200 million in Series C funding at a $1.3 billion valuation last year, led by Tiger Global, with participation from investors including GV, Highland Europe, EQT, Latitude, I2BF, and Tapestry. To date, the company has raised a total of $450 million, positioning it for continued growth and innovation in the competitive consumer technology landscape.
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