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Duane Martin

macrumors 6502a
Oct 15, 2004
529
1,191
Calgary, Alberta
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.
What a interesting interpretation of reality. Where I see a staged product roll-out, expertly done, you see a conspiracy and, what, failure?

I hope some day I create something that "fails" as much as the Apple Watch has.
 
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kds1

Suspended
Feb 17, 2013
820
324
New York, New York
I just want to buy the Milanese Loop band 38mm size, but use it on an analog watch. I wish someone would make a nice analog watch that could take the AppleWatch bands.
 

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,083
31,014
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.
And I don't think Apple ever said it wasn't. As far as I know apple.com is for the masses...
 

chinesedemo

Cancelled
Oct 16, 2011
124
178
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?


You are absolutely mistaken, this broadening of distribution comes at a huge cost. Margins on the watch are going to take a huge hit, that wasn't part of Apple's master plan to sell the watch. If the watch was selling as vigorously as they expected the demand to be then Apple would have been more vocal about sales, they would have left the watch availability only in Apple stores and high end boutiques as they initially planned and you would not see such steep discounts on the watch (ebay).

Among the distribution channels I have seen both first hand and secondary I can without a shadow of a doubt tell you that the watch is selling FAR below expectations, since I deal with manufacturing of straps and screen protectors for the watch directly. Notwithstanding the negative extrapolation of sales from nearly every analysts and the fact that the watch has not become ubiquitous within the Apple buying community, I think its safe to assume the Apple Watch is not a hit.

Personally I found mine to be a burden and gave it to my father. I have yet to meet a person who is as excited about the Apple Watch as they are about the iPhone. And in many cases even this is starting to wane.
Don't take the position that Apple is infallible, you will set yourself up for huge disappointment.
 
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dmylrea

macrumors 601
Sep 27, 2005
4,783
6,819
Man Apple Watch is really getting around!!

I finally saw one on someone while traveling in London. Apart from a friend of mine that owns one, that's the 2nd I've noticed ON someone, and still haven't seen anyone actually using theirs.

Target? People don't usually shop Target for high-priced items (and if they do, they're looking for a discount, which ain't gonna happen on The Watch).
 

dmylrea

macrumors 601
Sep 27, 2005
4,783
6,819
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?

You want the whole list of reasons or just the top ten? :) It doesn't take much floor space, and I'm sure Apple is paying nicely for the square footage. People aren't standing in line at the Apple store to buy one, so the reason to expand availability is to hopefully get people (who wouldn't normally walk into an Apple store) to buy one. Target isn't exactly their demographic, though.
 

trife

macrumors 6502a
Apr 16, 2012
565
714
Pro tip: sign up for all 3 Target registries. You'll get coupons that you can use in-store that stack with their cartwheel coupons, which all stack with the 5% off from a Red Card.

I snagged a PS4 for $300 a month or so ago by doing this.
 

Cutecynic

macrumors member
Sep 17, 2013
31
2
Support of target's red card through Apple Pay needs to be a higher priority. If kohl's credit card is Apple Pay compatible, what's the hold up with the red card? CurrentC is not going to be accepted by consumers.
 

AZREOSpecialist

Suspended
Mar 15, 2009
2,354
1,278
The Apple Watch is simply uninteresting to me. And as someone in my mid 40s, the last thing I need is a device that's more difficult to read than my iPhone. Apple should have put more effort into making Apple TV a serious offering because there is far more growth potential in that market space, and potential to do something really cool, than in the watch space. I think Apple's priorities are a little mixed up. Apple TV should be the big focus moving forward because if Apple can take over the TV/living room, they will rule all.
 
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JoeG4

macrumors 68030
Jan 11, 2002
2,827
493
Lol

Just wait

Apples marketing department will call it a stocking stuffer. Buy them for your favorite friends! It's just a drop in the bucket, that $350.. Little something I thought up on the way to the Guxxi store to get myself some $800 shoes

I used to get a good laugh at how laughably out of touch apples ad department was. They once advertised the power Mac G4 as a machine you'd use to look up the news or recipes in the kitchen while cooking hehe
 

2IS

macrumors 68030
Jan 9, 2011
2,938
433
It wasn't long ago when Apple had placed their watch on a pedestal so high that they only wanted to offer it in high end boutique stores, and now it's being sold at Target. Sales must be abysmal. When will Walmart get them?
 

AtheistP3ace

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2014
658
430
Philly
I finally saw one on someone while traveling in London. Apart from a friend of mine that owns one, that's the 2nd I've noticed ON someone, and still haven't seen anyone actually using theirs.

Target? People don't usually shop Target for high-priced items (and if they do, they're looking for a discount, which ain't gonna happen on The Watch).
Yes to be honest I have seen no one with one, apart from myself who I don't count lol.
 

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,019
7,862
It wasn't long ago when Apple had placed their watch on a pedestal so high that they only wanted to offer it in high end boutique stores, and now it's being sold at Target. Sales must be abysmal. When will Walmart get them?
Or Apple is seeing better than expected demand for the Apple Watch Sport and has decided to expand the number of sales outlets?

If sales were "abysmal" and they wanted to clear out stock, they'd be lowering the price. They wouldn't be coming out with new colors, a bunch of new bands, and another limited edition with Hermes.

It's pretty clear Apple had supply issues during the April launch. That's why distribution was limited.
 

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,019
7,862
Yes to be honest I have seen no one with one, apart from myself who I don't count lol.

I've noticed them on a few people at the office (who I don't know). The reason we don't notice watches of any kind is that most people don't go around "flashing" their watches around. They are under shirt sleeves or jackets lots of the time.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,413
43,304
Premium products and Target - never used those words together :p

It looks like Apple is pulling out all stops to increase sales. Long gone are the days that you needed to make an appointment at apple just to view the watch. Why a stark difference from then to now.
 

bloggityblog44

macrumors newbie
Oct 2, 2015
4
4
I finally saw one on someone while traveling in London. Apart from a friend of mine that owns one, that's the 2nd I've noticed ON someone, and still haven't seen anyone actually using theirs.

Target? People don't usually shop Target for high-priced items (and if they do, they're looking for a discount, which ain't gonna happen on The Watch).
good for you. i saw 15 in one night out on the town recently (i make it a point to look for these). so there's some anecdotal data for you.
 

AtheistP3ace

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2014
658
430
Philly
I've noticed them on a few people at the office (who I don't know). The reason we don't notice watches of any kind is that most people don't go around "flashing" their watches around. They are under shirt sleeves or jackets lots of the time.
Good point. I must admit being a non watch user until I got an AW i never much looked at people's watches in the first place. And now its getting cold and rainy where I live so longer sleeves!
 

bloggityblog44

macrumors newbie
Oct 2, 2015
4
4
Yes to be honest I have seen no one with one, apart from myself who I don't count lol.
if it is a failure, why every day do we hear about the newest models being released by samsung, moto, lg, tag heuer, etc. i guess every company wants to participate in a failure?
 

brinary001

Suspended
Sep 4, 2012
991
1,134
Midwest, USA
Okay is this really necessary? There's just way too many combinations to be put in a department store. Not to mention it just doesn't seem like it fits; I don't know why. No it's not because Target isn't nice. The upper-middle class has been claiming those stores as their turf for years. I just can't picture a shopping list that goes:
1. Milk
2. Eggs
3. Laundry detergent
4. Apple Watch

Like "Oh I almost forgot! I need to grab my thousand dollar Apple Watch. Man, you come in for the necessities and then they always get ya with something else."
 
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ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
6,907
Because nobody is buying them and they have a huge surplus.

That's interesting conjecture. When Best Buy announced the Apple Watch would be available in all stores, people said the same thing (it was a sign that Apple Watches weren't selling).

So if I am to understand this straight, the more and more retail stores that pick up the Apple Watch, the greater of a failure it is? When iPhones started selling in Best Buy and Target, was that a sign of sales failure? iPads? MacBooks? Ever increasing retail presence equals doom?

Best Buy's announcement to bring Apple Watch to all stores was after a trial period where they first sold it in only a few select stores. So Best Buy saw the Apple Watch tank, then said, yep, let's put this in all of our stores?

This seems completely backward to me. Retailers don't want to use up shelf space for something that doesn't sell. Brick and mortar shelf space is expensive.

So, yeah, I'm not buying this theory. Maybe the Apple Watch is doing well, maybe not, but increased retail presence is certainly not a sign of failure. If that increased retail presence was seeing Apple Watches tossed into bargain bins at every Walgreens and Rite Aid, yes, I'd see that as a failure. But Best Buy and Target are both current Apple partners, so this just seems like a natural extension of the existing partnership.
 
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neutralguy

macrumors 6502a
Jun 5, 2015
773
886
I have to agree. I never got the impression that apple was marketing this as some strictly high end fashion piece. They offered different styles and bands for people that were concerned about that but to me at least it has been a lifestyle thing. Tracking exercise and stuff. Then I get some extras like time, messaging, email, etc..

I love my apple watch, i really do. I never wore a watch before this and I couldn't imagine not having it now. Its not something I would die without but it has given me small joys in many areas. And lets face it most of the time life is not full of huge joys, so we gotta take the little ones, right?
Oh my god! You guys change your mouth so fast!
Remember when Apple Watch was sold first, only high end boutique stores were allowed to sell. Why didn't Apple allow Target and Best Buy to sell from the beginning?
 
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