Walmart takes on Amazon & Apple with iPhone ebook store launch

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion
Walmart is taking on Amazon by entering the ebook market, launching Walmart eBooks with access to a catalog of more than 6 million digital books, as well as a $9.99 monthly subscription providing audiobooks.




The new Walmart eBooks service effectively builds upon Rakuen's existing Kobo service, including its extensive ebook library that includes best-sellers, indie titles, and children's books. The service is accessible via an iOS app, as well as for Android, along with Kobo eReaders.

Walmart is offering a number of Kobo eReaders in its online store from today, but will start selling the Kobo Aura in 1,000 physical locations later this week.

Shoppers will also be able to acquire digital book cards from 3,500 Walmart locations, which will roll out to stores this week. The cards can be redeemed against nearly 40 ebooks, with titles ranging from The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle to Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse-Tyson.

The service will also provide audiobooks, including a subscription option that provides one audiobook per month for $9.99, undercutting Amazon's similar Audible subscription. Customers are being offered a free 30-day trial for the subscription.

For the launch of the ebook store, Walmart is offering first-time customers signing up $10 off their first eBook or audiobook purchase.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    A subscription audiobook store... Where have I heard of that before?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 10
    ihatescreennamesihatescreennames Posts: 1,904member
    I’m a little surprised Walmart took this long to get into the ebook/audiobook game. I’m curious to see how it works out for them. Walmart and Amazon customers both seem to be pretty loyal so this could be interesting. 
    curtis hannahwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 10
    curtis hannahcurtis hannah Posts: 1,833member
    Walmart selling ebooks? That’s something not expected, but given that Apple and Amazon have both been doing it roughly a decade, I don’t think Walmart’s going to sell that much unless they do attract lots of new users.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 10
    urashidurashid Posts: 127member
    I wish book publishers can follow the same path as magazines and start providing access to e-book version for each hardcover purchase. This will keep traditional book buying relavant in 21st century.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 10
    rotateleftbyterotateleftbyte Posts: 1,630member
    curtis hannah said:
    Walmart selling ebooks? That’s something not expected, but given that Apple and Amazon have both been doing it roughly a decade, I don’t think Walmart’s going to sell that much unless they do attract lots of new users.
    They will attract the typical Walmart Shopper. Saying that brings back seeing Videos of some Walmart shoppers a few years ago. (shudder)
    These may not be the typical Apple shopper and may well use Amazon quite a bit (end of psychology bit)

    They (Walmart) have to do something to thwart the rise of Amazon so while not a fan of Walmart, I wish them well in this Venture.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 10
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    curtis hannah said:
    Walmart selling ebooks? That’s something not expected, but given that Apple and Amazon have both been doing it roughly a decade, I don’t think Walmart’s going to sell that much unless they do attract lots of new users.
    Incremental revenue stream.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 10
    dkhaleydkhaley Posts: 57member
    rotateleftbyte said:
    They will attract the typical Walmart Shopper. Saying that brings back seeing Videos of some Walmart shoppers a few years ago. (shudder)
    These may not be the typical Apple shopper and may well use Amazon quite a bit (end of psychology bit)

    They (Walmart) have to do something to thwart the rise of Amazon so while not a fan of Walmart, I wish them well in this Venture.
    You might be surprised by Walmart shoppers. Go to an upper middle class suburb. You find people shopping there who spends lots of money on McMansions, luxury cars and iPhone (i.e. things that other people will see), but then will try to save a buck on everything else.
    StrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 10
    nunzynunzy Posts: 662member
    How much Apple merchandise does Mall*Wart sell? Are they a significant channel for Apple?

    If not, Apple should cut them off at the knees.
  • Reply 9 of 10
    frankiefrankie Posts: 381member
    curtis hannah said:
    Walmart selling ebooks? That’s something not expected, but given that Apple and Amazon have both been doing it roughly a decade, I don’t think Walmart’s going to sell that much unless they do attract lots of new users.
    Especially since most customers who go to Walmart probably barely read.  See, I kept that nice.  :)
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 10
    netroxnetrox Posts: 1,421member
    The idea of Walmart makes me ill. No thanks.
    watto_cobra
Sign In or Register to comment.