Nothing opens its first retail store in India | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Ivan Mehta

February 14, 2026

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Nothing, the hardware startup backed by Tiger Global, has opened its first retail store in India, marking a significant milestone for the company. The two-story store is located in Bengaluru, a city where a large portion of Nothing’s user base in India is concentrated. This new store will serve as a hub to showcase products from both Nothing and CMF, its budget-friendly sub-brand, which was spun off last year. CMF is headquartered in India and has a joint venture with local ODM Optiemus. The store aims to create an engaging experience for customers by offering a behind-the-scenes look at product testing and customization options. According to Carl Pei, co-founder and CEO of Nothing, the store is designed as a “fun space” inspired by the brand’s production processes. Visitors can witness machines used for testing phones, such as USB port testing and water resistance checks. The store will also feature products from both brands, which cater to different price ranges and target audiences—Nothing being more niche with higher pricing, while CMF focuses on mass-market affordability. India has been a key market for Nothing, contributing significantly to its growth. The company holds over 2% smartphone market share in the country and was reported as the fastest-growing brand in India during Q2 2025, with an 85% year-over-year shipment increase. Bengaluru’s tech-savvy population makes it a strategic location for Nothing’s first physical store outside London. The company also plans to expand further, with two more stores set to open in Tokyo and New York, though exact timelines have not been disclosed. Nothing’s decision to establish its first retail presence in India aligns with the growing trend of tech companies investing in aspirational retail spaces. Apple, for instance, is expanding its

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/14/2026