Walmart plans to sell Apple iPad by end of 2010
As part of a planned expansion of electronics products in its retail stores, Walmart hopes to sell Apple's iPad in some of its retail locations starting this year.
Gary Severson, senior vice president of entertainment for Walmart's U.S. stores, told BusinessWeek that his company believes it will carry the iPad later this year. Specific details, including timing and pricing, were not provided.
Since the iPad launched in early April, Apple has sold the multitouch device at its own retail stores, as well as Best Buy and other assisted locations. Some Apple Specialist locations also carry the hardware. Combined with online sales, Apple managed to sell more than a million iPads in the device's first 28 days of availability in the U.S. alone.
Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook revealed in February that Apple would expand retail availability of the iPad "over time," but did not provide a specific timeframe or mention any potential partners.
Walmart's planned restructuring of its electronics departments is based around "self-educated" consumers, Severson said. In addition to carrying the iPad, the retailer plans to offer more Internet-connected HDTVs, Blu-ray players, mobile phones and routers that allow consumers to link their electronic devices with one another in their homes. The goal is to ensure that consumers "don't have to go to a specialty shop" to get what they need, he said.
The partnership between Apple and Walmart has blossomed over the years, beginning in 2005 when the retailer began a pilot program selling Apple's short-lived HP-branded 20GB iPod. Over time, the nation's largest retail chain began carrying Apple's full line of iPods, and in 2008 some of its stores began selling the iPhone 3G.
A year ago, Walmart began overhauling many of its retail stores' electronics departments with Apple-designated shopping areas. At the time, it was believed the change could be a precursor to the company making a pitch to carry the Apple's line of Mac computers.
Gary Severson, senior vice president of entertainment for Walmart's U.S. stores, told BusinessWeek that his company believes it will carry the iPad later this year. Specific details, including timing and pricing, were not provided.
Since the iPad launched in early April, Apple has sold the multitouch device at its own retail stores, as well as Best Buy and other assisted locations. Some Apple Specialist locations also carry the hardware. Combined with online sales, Apple managed to sell more than a million iPads in the device's first 28 days of availability in the U.S. alone.
Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook revealed in February that Apple would expand retail availability of the iPad "over time," but did not provide a specific timeframe or mention any potential partners.
Walmart's planned restructuring of its electronics departments is based around "self-educated" consumers, Severson said. In addition to carrying the iPad, the retailer plans to offer more Internet-connected HDTVs, Blu-ray players, mobile phones and routers that allow consumers to link their electronic devices with one another in their homes. The goal is to ensure that consumers "don't have to go to a specialty shop" to get what they need, he said.
The partnership between Apple and Walmart has blossomed over the years, beginning in 2005 when the retailer began a pilot program selling Apple's short-lived HP-branded 20GB iPod. Over time, the nation's largest retail chain began carrying Apple's full line of iPods, and in 2008 some of its stores began selling the iPhone 3G.
A year ago, Walmart began overhauling many of its retail stores' electronics departments with Apple-designated shopping areas. At the time, it was believed the change could be a precursor to the company making a pitch to carry the Apple's line of Mac computers.
Comments
I don't give a hoot if they sell Apple at Wal Mart.
Anything that increases sales and the price of my stock is fine by me.
Don't like Wal Mart, don't shop there. The days of Apple elitism is over. Get over it.
I really don't think people that shop at Walmart can afford Apple products anywho, much less appreciate them.
Walmart has many more location than Best Buy and reaches the smaller towns. Although I generally don't care for Walmart, in some cases they are the only multline retailer for miles. Some of those farmers and oil workers in the sticks got plenty money for iPad.
I really don't think people that shop at Walmart can afford Apple products anywho, much less appreciate them.
So, you've never been to a Walmart?
I shop at Walmart sometimes and I have a newer Mac Pro, brand new Macbook Pro 17", an imac, ipad, 2 iPhones, and 2 macbooks.
And, I just bought a RED camera to boot.
/Generalizations are general.
Now I can get an iPad for $1.37 less than I would at the Apple store!
Why would Apple wants to display its products in a store where there are no attendants? They might as well sell the iPads in a self-serve kiosk.
No to Wal-Mart. Say it isn't so!
I really don't think people that shop at Walmart can afford Apple products anywho, much less appreciate them.
Unless this mean that Apple plans on dropping the price by then like the first iPhone drop of $200!! WOOT!!
It doesn't matter to me whether Wal-Mart sells the iPad or not. No one is forcing you to shop there. So if you shop there and want to pick up your iPad there, fine. If not, there are plenty of other places to go.
People who want to save $10 on an iPod or iPhone go to Walmart... What's wrong with that?
Well in general nothing, this is off topic to the thread and I do not want to start a flame war, so I do apologize- IMO some people(and I?m one of them) just wish WalMart had a little more 'sensitivity' to American 'made' products(ie- trade deficit) and small town mom and pop shops and worker welfare(ie health care). Yes, there are many arguments for and against WalMart?s practices, just an opinion.
Sorry for the thread interruption. Carry on.
Even if you some of you foie gras folks do think they are "poor or lower" or Wal-Mart is cheap, the people who shop there do buy flat screen's and big ticket items, so why not an iPad? Don't worry, it doesn't make your iPad any less spectacular. Maybe to make yourselves feel better you can wear a "I didn't get my iPad at Wal-Mart" shirt.
I really don't think people that shop at Walmart can afford Apple products anywho, much less appreciate them.
Why should they be allowed into our club?
Here come the fake and wanna-be Apple elitist complaining about Apple items being sold in Wal-Mart and saying Wal-Mart is for poor or "lower" people. I don't shop at Wal-Mart - I'm a Target/Costco man, but WM is the #1 retail store in the country and that means dollars.
Even if you some of you foie gras folks do think they are "poor or lower" or Wal-Mart is cheap, the people who shop there do buy flat screen's and big ticket items, so why not an iPad. Don't worry, it doesn't make your iPad any less spectacular. Maybe to make yourselves feel better you can wear a "I didn't get my iPad at Wal-Mart" shirt.
My take is most, but not all of the comments so far were against Walmarts practices. However, you have done a fine job of labeling and prejudging people.
Please. Like Target is full of US made products. Don't blame Wal Mart on this. Everyone is producing offshore. And until and unless consumers stop buying offshore produced merchandise, it won't change. Unfortunately, people want the lowest cost. They don't realize or care what it is doing to our economy. It isn't just Wal Mart. You can go to Nordtrom's and buy $75.00 neckties made in China.
I really don't think people that shop at Walmart can afford Apple products anywho, much less appreciate them.
Nonsense. People at every income level and demographic shop at Walmart, Target, heck even at the 99 cent stores. A sale is a sale.