Nothing Launches First Retail Store in India, Its Largest Market

Nothing, the hardware manufacturer backed by Tiger Global, has officially opened its inaugural retail store in India, marking a significant milestone in the company's largest market. The store is strategically positioned in Bengaluru, a city that hosts a substantial portion of Nothing's Indian user base.

The new two-story retail location serves as an experiential showcase for Nothing's product portfolio and innovative projects. The store offers customers the ability to purchase hardware products and branded merchandise, with select items available for customization on-site.

According to Carl Pei, co-founder and CEO of the company, the retail space was designed to create an engaging, brand-immersive environment. "We wanted to create a fun space. 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," Pei explained.

The store will feature products from both Nothing and CMF, its budget-oriented sub-brand that was spun off last year. CMF operates with its headquarters in India and maintains a joint venture with Optiemus, a local Indian ODM (Original Design Manufacturer).

Pei emphasized the strategic differentiation between the two brands: "Nothing is more niche with a higher price. 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."

Market Performance:

India has emerged as Nothing's strongest market, with the company capturing over 2% market share in the smartphone segment, according to analyst firm IDC. The firm also identified Nothing as the fastest-growing brand in India during Q2 2025, recording an impressive 85% year-over-year growth in shipments.

The retail expansion aligns with a broader trend among premium hardware manufacturers establishing aspirational retail presences in India. Apple, for instance, is scheduled to open its sixth Indian store in Borivali, Mumbai, this month.

This Bengaluru location represents Nothing's first retail store outside of London, where the company maintains its headquarters. The startup has announced plans to open additional stores in Tokyo and New York, though specific timelines have not been disclosed.

Funding Background:

Nothing secured $200 million in Series C funding at a $1.3 billion valuation last year, with the round led by Tiger Global. The investment included participation from prominent investors such as GV, Highland Europe, EQT, Latitude, I2BF, and Tapestry. To date, Nothing has raised a total of $450 million in funding.