News
Sam’s Club to offer iPhone, iPad
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
News Category: iPad, iPhone
Sam’s Club, the warehouse club owned and operated by Walmart, has announced plans to offer the iPhone and iPad in its membership warehouse stores. The Street reports that the announcement was made during Walmart’s annual meeting this morning; no timeframe was given for when the devices would hit store shelves. Additionally, the company said it was attempting to increase the quality in its consumer electronic categories, and that it will offer non-food in-store demos to help facilitate growth in other categories. The announcement comes at a time when a number of retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, have been adding the iPad to their Apple device offerings ahead of the holiday season.
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1
What is the motivation for Apple’s move into down-market retail outlets like Sam’s Club? As another iLounge reader commented, these moves cheapen the Apple brand. And Apple’s firm control over its products’ prices prevents these low-cost retailers from selling Apple products at (relatively) low prices.
Between its own retail stores and its web site, does Apple really need any more help moving iUnits?
Posted by Farnsworth on October 13, 2010 at 1:20 PM (PDT)
2
Farnsworth - it seems to me that Apple is really trying to reach the masses today. I do not feel this cheapens the Apple brand as much as you think. Really, all this does is get the Apple brand in a lot more hands. The Apple Stores are still not easily accessible to a large portion of the country. And the on-line ordering is sort of a “leap of faith” for those that have not had a chance to put their hands on an iPad.
Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Sam’s allow a larger number of people to actually touch a cool device and get to know it a little. This can only be a good thing.
I do question the Sam’s move since they will not be able to offer much of a discount. But, they have been carrying PS3’s, Xbox 360’s and Wii’s for quite some time. All at a very minimal mark down.
Posted by Mitch on October 13, 2010 at 5:09 PM (PDT)
3
At least Best Buy has a dedicated area for Apple with employees quasi-trained in the product.
Does Target, Wal-Mart, or Sam’s Club offer anything more than Apple products behind a locked case? Not from what I’ve seen.
Posted by BillyBobJack on October 14, 2010 at 5:57 PM (PDT)