iPad sales to expand to all Best Buy U.S. stores Sept. 26
Availability of the iPad will expand to all of Best Buy's U.S. stores on Sept. 26, amounting to 1,093 of the company's nationwide retail locations selling Apple's device.
Best Buy announced the expansion on Tuesday, the same day that the company revealed its strong quarterly earnings. Those sales were buoyed by demand for devices like the iPad, the company said.
The iPad was available at Best Buy when the device launched earlier this year, though it was limited to 673 retail stores with Apple Shop locations. Now, All 1,093 stores in the U.S. will carry both the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models on Sept. 26.
"Technology is becoming more and more personal, and our customers say they really value visiting a Best Buy store to touch and try the iPad for themselves," said Wendy Fritz, senior vice president of computing at Best Buy. "We?re delighted that we?ll soon make that opportunity available to everyone who?d like to come see us, and experience this device in any Best Buy store nationwide."
Best Buy officials indicated that stores experienced "constrained inventory" when the iPad launched earlier this year. But with supply issues apparently alleviated, Chief Executive Brian Dunn anticipates that the iPad, along with other tablet devices, will be "big for us during the holidays.
In addition to selling the iPad, Best Buy stores will also carry a range of accessories for Apple's touchscreen tablet.
Apple is also rumored to make the iPad available for sale at Target in the coming weeks, as recent evidence has suggested the device could see a launch in stores on Oct. 3. Earlier this year, Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., also indicated it hopes to sell the iPad by the end of 2010.
Expansion to more retail outlets has likely been made possible by improved supplies. Recently, iPad shipping times on Apple's website improved to 24 hours, a major improvement from earlier this year, when shipping times were measured in weeks and many stores were completely sold out.
Best Buy announced the expansion on Tuesday, the same day that the company revealed its strong quarterly earnings. Those sales were buoyed by demand for devices like the iPad, the company said.
The iPad was available at Best Buy when the device launched earlier this year, though it was limited to 673 retail stores with Apple Shop locations. Now, All 1,093 stores in the U.S. will carry both the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models on Sept. 26.
"Technology is becoming more and more personal, and our customers say they really value visiting a Best Buy store to touch and try the iPad for themselves," said Wendy Fritz, senior vice president of computing at Best Buy. "We?re delighted that we?ll soon make that opportunity available to everyone who?d like to come see us, and experience this device in any Best Buy store nationwide."
Best Buy officials indicated that stores experienced "constrained inventory" when the iPad launched earlier this year. But with supply issues apparently alleviated, Chief Executive Brian Dunn anticipates that the iPad, along with other tablet devices, will be "big for us during the holidays.
In addition to selling the iPad, Best Buy stores will also carry a range of accessories for Apple's touchscreen tablet.
Apple is also rumored to make the iPad available for sale at Target in the coming weeks, as recent evidence has suggested the device could see a launch in stores on Oct. 3. Earlier this year, Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., also indicated it hopes to sell the iPad by the end of 2010.
Expansion to more retail outlets has likely been made possible by improved supplies. Recently, iPad shipping times on Apple's website improved to 24 hours, a major improvement from earlier this year, when shipping times were measured in weeks and many stores were completely sold out.
Comments
This kinda makes that whole new iPad before the holidays rumor a little less convincing
No kidding. If everybody keeps buying the current model, we'll never see an iPad with integrated camera.
So the iPad sales momentum has not slowed down.
Maybe it would slow down, if not for efforts like that described. Apple seems to not like to introduce updated models more often than every 9-12 months. Expanding to BestBuy helps stave off the need to introduce the iPad with camera in order to maintain a satisfactory sales pace.
So the iPad sales momentum has not slowed down.
Correct.
Apple's partners are manufacturing more, they are selling more, there are more points of distribution and the international rollout still isn't complete.
They will sell more iPads in the last three months of this year than the first three months of the product's availability.
Does Best Buy do a credible job selling Macs?
Doesn't matter relative to the iPad; it is amazing how well the iPad really sells itself. The strangest people look longingly at it when I am in a meeting or in the airport... Can't imagine it is much different in a BB store.
No kidding. If everybody keeps buying the current model, we'll never see an iPad with integrated camera.
Not according to Apple's history. They will kill a top product (both in selling and class) and replace it with something they see as better. e.g. the iPod Mini was the best selling player they had and didn't have much competition, yet they still killed it at it's peak with the nano.
They want to maintain the lead while they can, so it is possible they will have a product update by the end of the year. Personally, I'd like to see them be that aggressive with it. Not because I'd buy one, but it means they really want to push the form factor forward
No kidding. If everybody keeps buying the current model, we'll never see an iPad with integrated camera.
Actually, this is the opposite of Apple's longtime behavior.
They will not cut price and continue to offer the same model. They have regular product refreshes and increase value by adding new features and functionality while holding prices pretty steady.
Actually, this is the opposite of Apple's longtime behavior.
Actually, you're wrong.
The Kindle is coming to Best Buy. Is it just a coincidence the iPad is, too?
Same with every single version of the iPhone. Same with every single version of the iPod touch. Regular refreshes of product lines with improved functionality.
The iPad has already been in Best Buy since very early in the launch. The plan to move it from assisted retail locations to the entire chain was probably forecasted in the original channel partner agreement, dependent on supply levels, general acceptance of the product in the marketplace, and the holiday sales period.
Nope, you are wrong. Read OriginalG's post above. That's just one example of Apple removing a top-selling product and replacing it with superior hardware.
Same with every single version of the iPhone. Same with every single version of the iPod touch. Regular refreshes of product lines with improved functionality.
The iPad has already been in Best Buy since very early in the launch. The plan to move it from assisted retail locations to the entire chain was probably forecasted in the original channel partner agreement, dependent on supply levels, general acceptance of the product in the marketplace, and the holiday sales period.
Nope, you are wrong. All of the new product introductions are in response to changing market conditions. Without external market forces, Apple had little motivation to make any changes.
No kidding. If everybody keeps buying the current model, we'll never see an iPad with integrated camera.
Unless Apple simply has made sooo many that they now need to unload them (by selling at Target). Or maybe Walmart/Target will keep these models and Apple will sell a new one with camera (and otehr goodies) excusively?
Nah...
Nope, you are wrong. All of the new product introductions are in response to changing market conditions. Without external market forces, Apple had little motivation to make any changes.
Interesting how those market forces only happens in Jun for the iPhone and Sept for iPods.
Interesting how those market forces only happens in Jun for the iPhone and Sept for iPods.
Yep, that's because market forces are Gemini and Virgo!
Interesting how those market forces only happens in Jun for the iPhone and Sept for iPods.
lol agree 100%
Availability of the iPad will expand to all of Best Buy's U.S. stores on Sept. 26, amounting to 1,093 of the company's nationwide retail locations selling Apple's device.
(...)
Apple is also rumored to make the iPad available for sale at Target in the coming weeks, as recent evidence has suggested the device could see a launch in stores on Oct. 3. Earlier this year, Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., also indicated it hopes to sell the iPad by the end of 2010.
Nothing about Radio Shack?
Maybe it would slow down, if not for efforts like that described...... Expanding to BestBuy helps stave off the need to introduce the iPad with camera in order to maintain a satisfactory sales pace.
Please, FFS everyone please stop spreading this utter nonsense.
There is no slowdown, there is no need to "stave off" anything. iPad has reach supply-demand balance in ONLY THE FEW COUNTRIES IT HAS CURRENTLY LAUNCHED IN. The international rollout has not even really taken place in any fashion and demand is massive. There are no iPads officially available in many of the major or minor Mac and iPhone markets. There is no demand slowdown, there is no loss of momentum. If you truly want to understand what is going on with Apple products you must look at things globally.
Does Best Buy do a credible job selling Macs?
I bought my last iMac from Best Buy and was very happy with them. The chap I dealt with was knowledgeable and they had what I wanted in stock. Couldn't have asked for more really.
Correct.
Apple's partners are manufacturing more, they are selling more, there are more points of distribution and the international rollout still isn't complete.
They will sell more iPads in the last three months of this year than the first three months of the product's availability.
Thank you... At least *some* people get it.