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Best Buy Unlikely to Carry Apple Watch at Launch

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Apr 12, 2001
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Best Buy may not carry the Apple Watch when the wrist-worn device launches in April, according to Reuters. The report, citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter, corroborates speculation that Apple might control the Apple Watch sales experience, at least initially, by limiting the product to Apple Stores.

Apple has been training its retail employees to deliver a more personalized shopping experience, as many customers will want to try on the various watch editions, faces and bands to determine which is best for them. Given that, it would make sense that Best Buy, and possibly other authorized resellers such as Walmart, Target and Sam's Club, might not immediately sell the Apple Watch.

While large fashion retailers such as Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States confirmed no immediate plans to carry the Apple Watch, multiple high-end department stores in Europe will be showcasing the smartwatch when it launches. Last month, for example, sources told us that Apple is planning an Apple Watch pop-up shop at Selfridges in London near the iconic 19,000-square-foot Wonder Room. French department store Galeries Lafayette is also setting up an Apple Watch display in Paris.
"Other large retailers, including Macy's, Saks 5th Avenue, Bloomingdales and Barney's said they had no immediate plans to carry the watch. Target and Nordstrom,along with all the major phone carriers, declined to comment on their plans, though a source with knowledge of the situation said Nordstrom has engaged in discussions with Apple."
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Apple is expected to provide further details about the Apple Watch during today's "Spring Forward" media event. The keynote begins at 10 AM Pacific with a live video stream available on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. MacRumors will also have full coverage of the event, with a live blog on our front page, news coverage and updates going out on our @MacRumorsLive Twitter account. Also follow and participate in the conversation in our discussion forums.

Article Link: Best Buy Unlikely to Carry Apple Watch at Launch
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/03/09/best-buy-apple-watch-launch/
"Apple has been training its retail employees to deliver a more personalized shopping experience, as many customers will want to try on the various watch editions, faces and bands to determine which is best for them. Given that, it would make sense that Best Buy, and possibly other authorized resellers such as Walmart, Target and Sam's Club, might not immediately sell the Apple Watch."

Odd. Walmart, Target and Sam's Club have jewelry counters and cell phone counters that are already set up in a way that would enable customers to try on the various watch editions, faces and bands to determine which is best for them.
 
Sounds like they are going full on hype mode. Restrict supply. Create the image of high demand. This whole thing has stink all over it. :rolleyes:
 
If anyone is equipped to sell the Apple Watch other than Apple I would say best buy is in the best position. They have the Apple store in a store and usually have folks who primarily work the Apple area.
 
Initially, Apple might not have enough supply to distribute among all its usual partners anyway. And since many of the watch's functions will be tied to an iPhone, it makes sense to restrict sales to places where Apple is certain to have active iPhones on hand.
 
I hate BB, especially their headphone section dominated by Beats so this doesn't bother me.
 
I can't wait until this stupid watch launches and in 6 month the hype dies down and suddenly people realize how ultimately useless smart watches are. I had Android Wear and can tell you first hand the "new" factor wears off extremely fast. By the end of the first week its just another device you constantly have to remember to charge every night that sucks down your phones battery life due to the constant connection. Give it 6 months and these things will be piled up in pawn shops.
 
CoMoMacUser said:
Odd. Walmart, Target and Sam's Club have jewelry counters and cell phone counters that are already set up in a way that would enable customers to try on the various watch editions, faces and bands to determine which is best for them.
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I think it's more about perceived value. If Apple wants to position the watch as a fashion accessory, Best Buy, Walmart, et al. might not be the right environment. Walmart and Target offer clothing, not fashion.

I'm sure the low-end version will eventually be on sale in all the regular gadget shops, but I could easily see Apple restricting offline sales to more upscale retailers for the first few months. (Or maybe even the first generation.)
 
Especially in the U.S. Apple needs to control how the Apple Watch is sold. Best Buy, WM, etc. are more product warehouses than full service sales shops. They can't represent the Apple Watch in the way Apple needs the narrative to be told to customers. So makes 100% sense that the AW would remain an Apple Store exclusive + key fashion partners for the near term.

Once the holiday selling season gets started then I'd expect to see the Sport version in all Apple reseller retail locations.
 
CoMoMacUser said:
"Apple has been training its retail employees to deliver a more personalized shopping experience, as many customers will want to try on the various watch editions, faces and bands to determine which is best for them. Given that, it would make sense that Best Buy, and possibly other authorized resellers such as Walmart, Target and Sam's Club, might not immediately sell the Apple Watch."

Odd. Walmart, Target and Sam's Club have jewelry counters and cell phone counters that are already set up in a way that would enable customers to try on the various watch ediitions, faces and bands to determine which is best for them.
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Because Walmart, Target, and Sam's Club don't offer comparable shopping experiences to an Apple Store.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
Especially in the U.S. Apple needs to control how the Apple Watch is sold. Best Buy, WM, etc. are more product warehouses than full service sales shops. They can't represent the Apple Watch in the way Apple needs the narrative to be told to customers. So makes 100% sense that the AW would remain an Apple Store exclusive + key fashion partners for the near term.

Once the holiday selling season gets started then I'd expect to see the Sport version in all Apple reseller retail locations.
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When Best Buy was trading in the UK, the in-store Apple departments were run by Apple employees. Is it different in the USA?
 
Derekuda said:
I can't wait until this stupid watch launches and in 6 month the hype dies down and suddenly people realize how ultimately useless smart watches are. I had Android Wear and can tell you first hand the "new" factor wears off extremely fast.
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Ah but there is the difference. An Apple Watch with all Apple's marketing muscle is not the same as Google and Samsung's half-arsed attempt at the category. Google had nothing to lose. Apple does.

I've owned a few Fitbits and a Nike Fuel Band. Loved 'em but outgrew them functionality-wise. Switched to a real Garmin running watch. If the Apple Watch can combined most of the functionality of that watch plus a regular watch plus allow me to see who is nuisance text or calling me w/o having to drop everything to grab my phone it's a winner in my mind. And then there is all the 3rd party development. Yes, very different from an Android watch. Sorry.
 
Amacfa said:
Because Walmart, Target, and Sam's Club don't offer comparable shopping experiences to an Apple Store.
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Sure, but that hasn't stopped Apple from using those sales channels for products such as the iPhone and iPad. Apple must be concerned that the Watch's value proposition won't be clear and obvious to most potential buyers.
 
OllyW said:
When Best Buy was trading in the UK, the in-store Apple departments were run by Apple employees. Is it different in the USA?
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Yes. It started out that way. But now the Apple table and area is unattended and sales (order taking) is handled by BB's Geek Squad.
 
so much bestbuy hate. I actually love my local best buy. They price match everyone, and I am treated like a celebrity since I spent so much time/money in there.
 
sfwalter said:
If anyone is equipped to sell the Apple Watch other than Apple I would say best buy is in the best position. They have the Apple store in a store and usually have folks who primarily work the Apple area.
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From my experience (in the U.S.) the "store in a store" at Best Buy pretty much sucks. A lonely little corner with absolutely nobody with any kind of Apple knowledge anywhere. There may be exceptions, but I haven't experienced them.
 
Baumi said:
I think it's more about perceived value. If Apple wants to position the watch as a fashion accessory, Best Buy, Walmart, et al. might not be the right environment. Walmart and Target offer clothing, not fashion.

I'm sure the low-end version will eventually be on sale in all the regular gadget shops, but I could easily see Apple restricting offline sales to more upscale retailers for the first few months. (Or maybe even the first generation.)
Click to expand...

If that's the case, they should start selling it in Macys or Nordstroms...since it's being advertised as a fashion accessory
 
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