Apple in Ireland have released on their website that they will be selling sim free iPhones from now on through their website, no prices have been announced yet but this is a big step forward for the availability if unlocked iPhones.
http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTgxNTg0NDc#faqs
http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTgxNTg0NDc#faqs