Apple Watch to Be Sold at All U.S. Target Stores by October 25

[avanpelt]

I think Apple has learned their lesson on marketing the watch heavily to the fashion world and I don't think they'll make that mistake again. I suspect that Apple Watch v2 will be available in many third party brick and mortar retailers right away when it launches.

Fashion is a largely fickle business. The watch was seen in magazine spreads and on fashion runways for a month or so and now is nowhere to be found. People in the fashion industry have moved on and most of the fashionistas probably either have their watches in a drawer somewhere or they continue to wear it with the understanding that it is a piece of technology first and is not primarily a fashion statement.

 

[kcamfork]

Target discounts are based on the price they pay and the margins they make. On the Apple Watch and most Apple products, those margins are slim, so you won't be seeing a 15% employee discount.

Wrong. I get 15% off of basically everything in the store. From iPads, to PS4s, to soon: Apple watches.

 

[doelcm82]

Because nobody is buying them and they have a huge surplus.
One of my best friends from high school is working as a manager at Apple. I haven't seem him in 10 years and he came to town two weeks ago. He told me a few things he could and he suggested because he can not tell them and he told some because it was me. But basically the Apple Watch is a failure and they all know that. Steve used to have control over everything, now everybody wants to have control and be the "creative mind". Still, Apple still manufacturing a product nobody is buying and there is a surplus and Apple will not say is a failure. I haven't seen the first one still, not even in my gym.

I read this Apple rumor site, and there's a commenter there who says he has a friend from high school whom he hasn't seen in ten years who told him confidentially about how the Apple Watch is a failure. And then this commenter posted that on the site, totally throwing his high school friend under the bus.

 

[Rogifan]

Because nobody is buying them and they have a huge surplus.
One of my best friends from high school is working as a manager at Apple. I haven't seem him in 10 years and he came to town two weeks ago. He told me a few things he could and he suggested because he can not tell them and he told some because it was me. But basically the Apple Watch is a failure and they all know that. Steve used to have control over everything, now everybody wants to have control and be the "creative mind". Still, Apple still manufacturing a product nobody is buying and there is a surplus and Apple will not say is a failure. I haven't seen the first one still, not even in my gym.

Right and I just saw three people wearing them over the weekend at an event I was at. We all have our anecdotal data. It seems highly unlikely that Apple would be adding new models and expanding distribution for a failure. Why would Target and Best Buy devote floor space to a product that nobody was buying?

 

[HenryDJP]

I read this Apple rumor site, and there's a commenter there who says he has a friend from high school whom he hasn't seen in ten years who told him confidentially about how the Apple Watch is a failure. And then this commenter posted that on the site, totally throwing his high school friend under the bus.

Doesn't matter. It's all hearsay. "A friend of a friend of somebody I haven't seen in 10 years said....."

 

[Jakexb]

Who cares.. Apple Watch is so much April 2015. It's October already...

iPhone is so 2007

 

[iapplelove]

OK, I'll add mine...
So, we go to Target to try them on, and then order them online?

Isn't that what Best Buy is for?

 

[DotCom2]

Personally I think the Apple Watch is quite nice but the price just does not justify what the watch actually does. At least not in this iteration.

 

[Rogifan]

I think Apple has learned their lesson on marketing the watch heavily to the fashion world and I don't think they'll make that mistake again. I suspect that Apple Watch v2 will be available in many third party brick and mortar retailers right away when it launches.

Fashion is a largely fickle business. The watch was seen in magazine spreads and on fashion runways for a month or so and now is nowhere to be found. People in the fashion industry have moved on and most of the fashionistas probably either have their watches in a drawer somewhere or they continue to wear it with the understanding that it is a piece of technology first and is not primarily a fashion statement.

When was the watch on fashion runways? I must have missed that? And the huge window displays at Selfridges, partnership with Hermés and huge ad spread in the September issue of Vogue (referred to as the "bible" because of how large the issue is) how does that signal Apple abandoning the fashion world?

 

[HenryDJP]

Sorry, misread post.

 

[avanpelt]

Right and I just saw three people wearing them over the weekend at an event I was at. We all have our anecdotal data. It seems highly unlikely that Apple would be adding new models and expanding distribution for a failure. Why would Target and Best Buy devote floor space to a product that nobody was buying?

Apple has a certain amount of "personal capital" to spend with retailers, to be sure. I'm sure most retailers would put the watch on display -- even if it wasn't selling well (and only Apple knows the whole picture) -- just because it's an Apple product and Apple products traditionally sell very well and generate a lot of foot traffic.

I don't know why Apple limited the supply of watches for the first several months to Apple Stores and high-end retailers. Perhaps they were having supply chain issues? Perhaps they really did want to position the watch as an exclusive item? Who knows? In any case, I think getting the watch in as many third party retailers as possible now is the only way Apple has a good chance of making the watch sales numbers take off during the holiday quarter.

 

[OllyW]

Were people snarky when Apple started selling products at Walmart (under Steve Jobs reign)?

Yes, very much so.

Wal-Mart to Sell iPhone Starting Sunday

A lot of posts were deleted from that thread.

 

[KPOM]

Remember when Apple pretended this was a high end fashion piece? That Switzerland was in trouble. They were selling only at exclusive kiosks within high end fashion stores?

Now it's all about mass market electronics at best buy and target. I think some people at Apple got a major eye-opener last spring. I'm sure Timmy and Co. wish they could forget that posturing. Target and Best Buy are great choices and I'm sure the watch will do well there. It's just so funny that Apple thought otherwise.

Apple Watch Hermes, anyone?

Who's to say they can't target both markets (no pun intended)? Swatch owns a large collection of higher-end watch brands.

 

[kungpaaao]

Seems legit.

Unload the stock now.

May be because they are expanding sales locations.

Anyway, here is my take on the watch: it's too complicated. Now, people can go and beat on me for this comment, but I'm am speaking for myself (and I'm sure others). Here is my problem with the the watch:

1. Tethered to iPhone. Or not? I don't know what apps are and what apps are not - which are on the phone and which are all on phone now and don't need the phone
2. The 3D/force touch: Additional level of complexity to how it works for all different apps. I could be wrong here for many people. Many people may only use a core set of apps and it won't be hard for them to remember how this 3D touch works for each app. We will see, but this does add additional complexity
3. Too many apps doing too many things - Could be wrong here in relation to #2 - Maybe most people only use a few apps and have a handle on it.

If people only need a few apps, do they need a $350+ watch to tell them text messages or emails?

If they use it for maps, is the screen too small?

Will people get tired of the endless notifications on their arm and prefer to just keep notifications to the phone in their pocket?

The cost is a lot for a lot of people for something that is not so necessary, so the niche product. I could be completely wrong, but I don't think I am. I would like people to know that I have been using Apple products since the Apple II+ in 1980 and I currently own an iPhone 6+ and the new (Retina) MacBook 2015.

 

[bigandtasty]

Obviously, they have plenty of inventory to keep up with demand. Wonder what the demand actually is. While it was neat, I returned mine within the first week of ownership. Only  product I've ever returned. iPhone set my wrist free.

 

[snebes]

Target clearance..soon?

One could hope. 30%...50%....75% off. And the quite exceptionally rare 90% off.

 

[Rogifan]

Yes, very much so.

Wal-Mart to Sell iPhone Starting Sunday

A lot of posts were deleted from that thread.

Heh, the more things stay the same....

 

[KPOM]

I think from the get-go Apple realized the first holiday season with Apple Watch sales would be the most critical. The April launch was in some respects a "beta." They got the manufacturing kinks worked out, figured out which bands were the most popular, got a better sense of "mix" between the Sport and Stainless Steel, and got the first major software update out just in time for a "re-launch" this fall. With distribution deals with several major retailers and new color and band options they are gearing up for a big quarter.

 

[Da Hurdler]

May be they will have a 50% off sale

I was just thinking if they did that during black Friday @ target or Bestbuy i will most surely get one.

 

[Rogifan]

Apple Watch Hermes, anyone?

Who's to say they can't target both markets (no pun intended)? Swatch owns a large collection of higher-end watch brands.

Clearly Apple is targeting both. And who says you can't (other than anti-fashion snobs)? Vera Wang designs couture gowns and has a collection at Kohls.

 

[BruiserB]

This is a pretty good way to save 5% on it when you use the red card at Target.

Or buy Target Gift Cards at Raise.com for 6.2% off currently with a cash back credit card for more savings.

Even better, get a new Discover card and activate it in ApplePay then walk into an Apple Store and buy a watch with ApplePay and get 22% back ((1% + 10%) * 2). If you wait for a Black Friday sale at Best Buy, ApplePay with Discover there to get 22% off the sale price. Maybe Target will take ApplePay by then too!

 

[citysnaps]

Remember when Apple pretended this was a high end fashion piece? That Switzerland was in trouble. They were selling only at exclusive kiosks within high end fashion stores?

Now it's all about mass market electronics at best buy and target. I think some people at Apple got a major eye-opener last spring. I'm sure Timmy and Co. wish they could forget that posturing. Target and Best Buy are great choices and I'm sure the watch will do well there. It's just so funny that Apple thought otherwise.

No, it was part of their long-term plan. Not surprizing at all.

 

[Anduin]

Cool, will they support Apple Pay anytime soon? C'mon Target.

That or I'd be happy if I could add my REDcard to Apple Pay.

 

[PsykX]

Don't even start a Canadian (Quebecker actually) on how much Target sucked

I hope it's different for you guys in the U.S.

 

[samcraig]

Were people snarky when Apple started selling products at Walmart (under Steve Jobs reign)?

I think the comment is more geared to those that insist the that iPhones are still really only for people that can afford them. As the Apple Watch's media blitz before the launch was all about high fashion and "exclusivity" (in terms of select stores - fashion - you would be able to get them aside from the Apple Store) - this should/could serve as a reminder that ultimately, while a very nice piece of tech, is meant for the masses.