Apple expands iPad distribution to third-party US retail channel
Apple now allows its largest distributors to provide all six models of the iPad to authorized resellers across the U.S., continuing the company's meticulous and methodical expansion of iPad availability.
For example, Tech Data Corporation revealed Thursday that Apple has allowed it to sell the iPad to its customers for the first time. The step is significant because Apple has been very protective of the iPad's image -- and third-party availability -- since the device's launch in April.
To date, select online resellers have been offering the iPad only over the phone, as Apple has not yet allowed online purchases. Some resellers have indicated to AppleInsider that Apple requires even the slightest changes to promotional graphics on their website to be approved, a process that those people say has been tedious and frustrating.
Apple's slow expansion of iPad availability is evidence of the company's careful control of how the touchscreen tablet has been marketed, and who has been able to sell it.
Despite the expansion to Tech Data, Apple is still not yet allowing resellers to sell the iPad online.
Tech Data is a major Apple distributor, providing products including Macs iPods and Apple TV to IT solution providers in over 100 countries. The company generated $24.1 billion in sales for its last fiscal year, and ranked 102 on the Fortune 500.
Tech Data also has an Apple Specialized Business Unit that includes dedicated sales, technical and product management resources. All members of the Apple SBU sales team are certified Apple Product Professionals.
The new distribution applies to both the Wi-Fi-only models, starting at $499 for 16GB of storage, to the 3G-capable hardware, which carries a $130 premium.
The announcement comes just a few days before Best Buy is set to expand sales of the iPad to all of its American retail stores. All of the retail chain's 1,093 stateside stores will offer the iPad starting this Sunday.
The iPad is also rumored to go on sale at Target in the coming weeks, as recent evidence has suggested the device could see a launch in stores on Oct. 3. And earlier this year, the largest retailer in the U.S., Walmart, indicated it hopes to sell the iPad by the end of 2010.
Expansion of the iPad to more retail outlets is expected to increase Apple's sales of the device significantly. Expanded distribution channels, along with international rollout and increased supply, were cited as positives on Thursday by Piper Jaffray, which believes Apple will sell 21 million units in 2011.
For example, Tech Data Corporation revealed Thursday that Apple has allowed it to sell the iPad to its customers for the first time. The step is significant because Apple has been very protective of the iPad's image -- and third-party availability -- since the device's launch in April.
To date, select online resellers have been offering the iPad only over the phone, as Apple has not yet allowed online purchases. Some resellers have indicated to AppleInsider that Apple requires even the slightest changes to promotional graphics on their website to be approved, a process that those people say has been tedious and frustrating.
Apple's slow expansion of iPad availability is evidence of the company's careful control of how the touchscreen tablet has been marketed, and who has been able to sell it.
Despite the expansion to Tech Data, Apple is still not yet allowing resellers to sell the iPad online.
Tech Data is a major Apple distributor, providing products including Macs iPods and Apple TV to IT solution providers in over 100 countries. The company generated $24.1 billion in sales for its last fiscal year, and ranked 102 on the Fortune 500.
Tech Data also has an Apple Specialized Business Unit that includes dedicated sales, technical and product management resources. All members of the Apple SBU sales team are certified Apple Product Professionals.
The new distribution applies to both the Wi-Fi-only models, starting at $499 for 16GB of storage, to the 3G-capable hardware, which carries a $130 premium.
The announcement comes just a few days before Best Buy is set to expand sales of the iPad to all of its American retail stores. All of the retail chain's 1,093 stateside stores will offer the iPad starting this Sunday.
The iPad is also rumored to go on sale at Target in the coming weeks, as recent evidence has suggested the device could see a launch in stores on Oct. 3. And earlier this year, the largest retailer in the U.S., Walmart, indicated it hopes to sell the iPad by the end of 2010.
Expansion of the iPad to more retail outlets is expected to increase Apple's sales of the device significantly. Expanded distribution channels, along with international rollout and increased supply, were cited as positives on Thursday by Piper Jaffray, which believes Apple will sell 21 million units in 2011.
Comments
The trolls are slipping. I expected the first post to be proclaiming this shows how desperate apple is in opening up distribution as their sales must be tanking...
It's coffee break at Google, RIM and MS just now.
Some resellers have indicated to AppleInsider that Apple requires even the slightest changes to promotional graphics on their website to be approved, a process that those people say has been tedious and frustrating.
But not tedious and frustrating enough for the retailers to stop wanting to sell Apple stuff.
Very interesting techniques. Apple is masterful at marketing, and seemingly, channel sales too.
Indeed, I think it goes to show how concerned they were about the Newton mishap coming back to bite them in the ass... This time around they were obviously dead-set on controlling exactly who said what, and where.
Indeed, I think it goes to show how concerned they were about the Newton mishap coming back to bite them in the ass... This time around they were obviously dead-set on controlling exactly who said what, and where.
This isn't the same Apple that was behind Newton really IMHO. I tend to think of Apple in two historical phases, both when Steve Jobs was there in charge. Anything that happened in between should be given a different perspective when quoting events from that period. The idiot from Pepsi and anything he did doesn't count in my book
Very interesting techniques. Apple is masterful at marketing, and seemingly, channel sales too.
Tim Cook is the king of operations. Steve Jobs gets a lot of well-deserved credit for Apple's success, but Tim Cook is a freaking unsung hero if ever there was one.
Thompson
So thats good.
Broader distribution leads to broader market leads to greater penetration leads to defacto standard. Its the Ipod all over again. You have to look on in awe.
Well said.
The trolls are slipping. I expected the first post to be proclaiming this shows how desperate apple is in opening up distribution as their sales must be tanking...
This shows how desperate apple is in opening up distribution as their sales must be tanking...
Could not help it, decided to try out trolling for a moment. Will now go wash it off.
This isn't the same Apple that was behind Newton really IMHO. I tend to think of Apple in two historical phases, both when Steve Jobs was there in charge. Anything that happened in between should be given a different perspective when quoting events from that period. The idiot from Pepsi and anything he did doesn't count in my book
Steve wasn't really ever "in charge" of Apple until after he returned.
Before that, he usurped the Mac project from Jef Raskin -- Steve successfully managed it and brought the Mac to market.
Mike Scott was President, COO from 1977-1981.
Mike Markkula, CEO, assumed the presidency when Scottie left-- 1981-1982.
John Sculley was President, COO, when Steve resigned -- 1983-1993.
.
Tim Cook is the king of operations. Steve Jobs gets a lot of well-deserved credit for Apple's success, but Tim Cook is a freaking unsung hero if ever there was one.
Thompson
Hear! Hear!
... and don't underestimate Phil Schiller!
.
Steve wasn't really ever "in charge" of Apple until after he returned.
Before that, he usurped the Mac project from Jef Raskin -- Steve successfully managed it and brought the Mac to market.
Mike Scott was President, COO from 1977-1981.
Mike Markkula, CEO, assumed the presidency when Scottie left-- 1981-1982.
John Sculley was President, COO, when Steve resigned -- 1983-1993.
.
Steve resigned? I thought he was forced out by Sculley.
Apple now allows its largest distributors to provide all six models of the iPad to authorized resellers across the U.S., continuing the company's meticulous and methodical expansion of iPad availability.
One of (if not the) biggest stores in the Midwest has just started selling the iPad today. Nebraska Furniture Mart, which has three mongo-stores in Omaha (duh!), Kansas city and Des Moines and has dedicated Apple store-within-a-store department in the the first 2 locations, started selling iPads today. They thought they had scored some huge coup when they were originally told they would get it, thinking they were getting some huge leg-up on the reseller competition. They got roughly 3 days. Kudos!
Got and ad from Micro Center today with a full page regarding them selling the iPad now. Micro Center has always sold most Apple products and looks like they now have the iPad.
So thats good.
A guy was doing iPad demos at the exit door when my wife and i were in a Micro Center on the 19th. He had it in a case dangling from a lanyard around his neck. Said he expected they would have product in the store for sale by the end of this week.