iPad coming to Walmart stores next week - rumor
Photos of an alleged email sent to Walmart managers suggest the retail giant could begin carrying all six models of Apple's iPad as early as next week, a new report claims.
The photos were obtained by MacRumors and posted late Friday. According to the alleged email, the initial stock at Walmart stores will be 5 units of each iPad model and 10 units each of Apple's official iPad accessories.
The iPad will roll out first to 1,000 stores beginning "week 37" through the end of October, with more stores receiving the device in "the first few weeks of November," the report noted. Store displays will reportedly feature a covered "live demo unit" with a continuous video loop highlighting the iPad's features.
Walmart revealed in May its plan to sell the iPad by the end of the year. In 2009, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based discounter overhauled many of the electronic departments in its retail stores to include an Apple section.
At the time, analysts predicted that Walmart would eventually move from carrying just iPods and iPhones to offering Apple's Mac line of computers.
"We believe Wal-Mart is actively pitching Apple to carry more products," Barclays Capital analyst Ben Reitzes said. Given that the iPad is positioned between Apple's computers and its smaller mobile devices, Walmart carrying the iPad can be seen as a next step in the relationship between the two companies.
Walmart would be the latest in a massive pre-holiday retail expansion of the iPad by Apple. Retail rival Target began carrying the iPad on Oct. 3, although initial sales appear muted. Visits to Target stores by ifoAppleStore showed that Target had chosen not to display any working iPads, instead keeping them locked behind glass on the bottom shelf of the display.
Select Best Buy stores have been carrying the iPad since its launch in April. All Best Buy stores began carrying the tablet on Sept. 26.
The photos were obtained by MacRumors and posted late Friday. According to the alleged email, the initial stock at Walmart stores will be 5 units of each iPad model and 10 units each of Apple's official iPad accessories.
The iPad will roll out first to 1,000 stores beginning "week 37" through the end of October, with more stores receiving the device in "the first few weeks of November," the report noted. Store displays will reportedly feature a covered "live demo unit" with a continuous video loop highlighting the iPad's features.
Walmart revealed in May its plan to sell the iPad by the end of the year. In 2009, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based discounter overhauled many of the electronic departments in its retail stores to include an Apple section.
At the time, analysts predicted that Walmart would eventually move from carrying just iPods and iPhones to offering Apple's Mac line of computers.
"We believe Wal-Mart is actively pitching Apple to carry more products," Barclays Capital analyst Ben Reitzes said. Given that the iPad is positioned between Apple's computers and its smaller mobile devices, Walmart carrying the iPad can be seen as a next step in the relationship between the two companies.
Walmart would be the latest in a massive pre-holiday retail expansion of the iPad by Apple. Retail rival Target began carrying the iPad on Oct. 3, although initial sales appear muted. Visits to Target stores by ifoAppleStore showed that Target had chosen not to display any working iPads, instead keeping them locked behind glass on the bottom shelf of the display.
Select Best Buy stores have been carrying the iPad since its launch in April. All Best Buy stores began carrying the tablet on Sept. 26.
Comments
Should allow a bit more sales that might not have taken place at all otherwise.
What's next, 7 eleven?
Maybe vending machines like at Macy's - could see them right next to the red box machines. LOL.
What's next, 7 eleven?
Radio Shack
You don't change the general who's winning the war. (just a saying. I know how you guys are. I'm not thinking of a tek war).
Media Markt has taken down the shelving for half an aisle, and put in a table that can be accessed from both sides. The table has a tall black monolith at its head, with a lit-up white Apple logo in it. On the table are a couple of iMacs, a couple of MacBooks/MacBook Pros and a couple of iPads (there is an extensive iPod department elsewhere).
Of course, the table is always full of customers trying out the Apple stuff. Demo PC's are just up on a shelf about chest high. However, I can't say if there were any really helpful staff who knew anything about Apple computers.
If Target is not going to display the iPad and also keep them under lock and key, then Apple made a mistake authorizing Target to carry the iPad.
I think common sense dictates, they will have a few display models, but the units for sale will be under lock and key.
Radio Shack
Tandy needs to go back in the leather business.
Makes sense as Target already has the IPAD and Walmart is a large chain with a high customer count.
and Target offers the lay away plan for people who cant shell out $500 samolieans all
at one time.
Apple just ruined their prestige name by letting Walmart carry the i pads. A big marketing mistake on their part. Is Jobs that destitute for money by letting this mediocre company carry his products? Pretty sad on his part.Only Apple Resellers should carry Apple items.
What's really sad are neo-elitist snobs like you.
If Target is not going to display the iPad and also keep them under lock and key, then Apple made a mistake authorizing Target to carry the iPad.
At one point Target had their Wii consoles and games under lock & key.
That didn't seem to hurt demand.
Apple just ruined their prestige name by letting Walmart carry the i pads. A big marketing mistake on their part. Is Jobs that destitute for money by letting this mediocre company carry his products? Pretty sad on his part.Only Apple Resellers should carry Apple items.
Anyone making class-conscious branding statements related to diluting the "prestige" of owning an iPad had better readjust their thinking. The iPad may have started out being positioned as a Tiffany's product because given its price point, that's a time-tested element of marketing to wealthier segments with disposable cash, who tend to be early adopters. But nothing stays the same. On its merits and its extremely high user satisfaction ratings, iPad has become established as a "must-have" product among a much larger segment of the consuming public. With production ramped up, the pre-holiday season is the perfect time to begin opening the mass distribution channels like WalMart and Target. Even with the higher production rates, iPad very well could become the Tickle Me Elmo or Cabbage Patch doll of the 2010 Christmas season. Be alert for a Black Friday shopping frenzy and iPad shortages in the U.S. in the days and weeks after.
Here’s what Steve Jobs had to say about Apple’s iPad product philosophy in June at the eighth
“If the market tells us we’re making the wrong choices, we listen to the market. We’re just people running this company. We’re trying to make great products for people … that’s what a lot of customers pay us to do, try to make the best products we can, and if we succeed they’ll buy them. And if we don’t, they won’t. And it will all work itself out! So, so far, I‘d have to say, that people seem to be liking iPads. We’ve sold one every three seconds since we launched it.”
Maybe vending machines like at Macy's - could see them right next to the red box machines. LOL.
I can imagine them selling good numbers in airports...
I do wonder though what the maximum inventory $$ they are rated to carry is.
Apple just ruined their prestige name by letting Walmart carry the i pads. A big marketing mistake on their part. Is Jobs that destitute for money by letting this mediocre company carry his products? Pretty sad on his part.Only Apple Resellers should carry Apple items.
I live in Scottsdale, AZ and you would be surprised how many supposedly well-off people shop at Walmart....It is always busy!
Personally, I try to avoid it for the reasons implied above....but toiletries, cleaning products, some groceries...I prefer not to give Target or Safeway an extra $50-$100 of my money every month!
Best