Samsung India has opened its largest store worldwide in a former opera house.

The new 33,000sqft store in Bangalore forms part of Samsung’s regional competitive strategy in the world’s second-largest smartphone market. The firm took two years to restore the colonial structure.

Visitors to the store will be able to inspect its smartphones, wearable devices, and VR technologies.

Samsung Southwest Asia CEO and president HC Hong said: “Opera House will also organise workshops, activities and events, bringing together Samsung’s innovations with people’s passions. We are proud of the transformation that this place has seen.”

Samsung commands 23 per cent of the Indian smartphone market against Xiaomi’s leading 30 per cent.

Apple has only 1 per cent market penetration.