Staples May Begin Selling iPads and iPods on its Website Starting Next Month

[MacRumors]

Apple and Staples have agreed to a deal to sell various iPad and iPod models on the Staples online store in the U.S., reports 9to5Mac. The deal will potentially expand to Staples' retail stores as well if the company is able to sell a certain amount of iPads per week.

The source says that if each Staples store refers one iPad sale per week in October, two per week in November, and five per week in December, Apple will be willing to sell iPads in physical Staples locations.

If Staples is able to meet Apple's sales goals it could see its brick-and-mortar stores selling iPads and iPods by early 2014, according to 9to5Mac. It would also be the second successful Apple test for Staples, as it appears that Apple and Staples' deal to sell accessories was a "testbed" to see whether Staples' customer base and Apple's products were a good fit.

In March, MacRumors revealed screenshots of training materials for Staples' sales associates that educated them on Apple's various products, including Macs, Apple TV, iPhones, iPads and more.

Currently, Staples sells iPads on its online store in Canada. Expanding into Staples' 1,500 United States retail stores would be a significant expansion of Apple's distribution chain. Staples also offers an appealing channel for businesses that already have billing accounts and existing relationships with the retailer for office supply needs.

Article Link: Staples May Begin Selling iPads and iPods on its Website Starting Next Month

 

[12vElectronics]

Not sure why it's a big deal. Apple products are sold almost everywhere now..

 

[TheMacBookPro]

Staples in Canada don't only sell iPads online, they're sold in-store as well.

 

[yearofthe]

yay

 

[TheMacBookPro]

Not sure why it's a big deal. Apple products are sold almost everywhere now..

Almost everywhere... but evidently not at Staples (yet, anyways)

 

[AngerDanger]

I think it's only fair that Staples gets a nice iOS 7 inspired redesign as well:

 

[ccmovies]

Excellent! So many times I have customers asking for iPod, iPhones, iPads, etc. At least now I can point them to the Staples' website for two of those.

 

[skellener]

So sell more iPads and iPods through Staples, but sell more iPhones in the Apple Stores. Whuah?

from July:
Tim Cook's Plan to Sell More iPhones in Apple Stores Could Be Tough Task
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/07/1...-iphones-in-apple-stores-could-be-tough-task/

 

[dtbratt]

Staples in Canada don't only sell iPads online, they're sold in-store as well.

Incorrect. You can buy an iPad online on Staples.ca

 

[osofast240sx]

Not sure why it's a big deal. Apple products are sold almost everywhere now..

I guess the point is when you walk into Staples you normally see android and other garbage tablets. It would be nice to see some iPads and Macs being sold in there

 

[FelixDerKater]

Staples wants to carry a brand that actually sells consistently... This is news.

 

[notjustjay]

Incorrect. You can buy an iPad online on Staples.ca

What he meant was, it's not JUST online, but you can also buy iPads in Staples stores in Canada. As well as a variety of other tablets and e-readers.

 

[12vElectronics]

I guess the point is when you walk into Staples you normally see android and other garbage tablets. It would be nice to see some iPads and Macs being sold in there

A good question would be who walks into Staples anymore

 

[Yvan256]

Not sure why it's a big deal. Apple products are sold almost everywhere now..

"Staples also offers an appealing channel for businesses that already have billing accounts and existing relationships with the retailer for office supply needs."

 

[Count Blah]

A good question would be who walks into Staples anymore

I was in one tonight. Printer ink and the misses needed a USB stick to replace one she lost.

 

[SkyBell]

A good question would be who walks into Staples anymore

At about 15 miles away, they're about the closest store I can go to for anything electronics related; consequently, I'm there fairly often.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

Incorrect. You can buy an iPad online on Staples.ca

They do not 'only' sell them online. What that means is that you can both purchase the iPad online and in-store.

 

[MaSx]

About time they start carrying iPad, iPhone and iPod. So far behind.

 

[chatin]

Less tech more staples.

Staples got wacked in the profit department last quarter but this is probably not the fix for them.

 

[dtbratt]

My bad guys.

 

[Makosuke]

A good question would be who walks into Staples anymore

I'm no fan, but sometimes you need a router or an external hard drive for your client right now, and Staples is the place to go to get it when you do. Also has the advantage of a generous return policy, so I can buy five pieces of networking hardware when I know I only need three but am not sure which three, then return the two I didn't end up using at my leisure.

Actually, I bought my AppleTV at a Staples, because I had some credit with them due to their business cashback program, and the best deal I've ever gotten on an iTunes card was through their website. (I'm positive it wasn't supposed to be that good, but I'm not complaining: Two $50 iTunes cards for $40 each, shipped; apply the $25 off $75 online coupon they sent me in the mail--which worked for some reason--and then added the store credit I got for buying some stuff for clients, and I ended up paying about $28 out of pocket for $100 worth of music. Still stoked.)

 

[Chuck-Norris]

lol staples in canada has been sellings ipods and ipads for quite a while now

 

[firedept]

I have seen Staples selling iPads for several months now in Canada. Nice thing is when you walk into the Staples in our town, Apple display is now the first thing you see. Always seems to be the most popular area in the store, right up there with their print centre.

 

[12vElectronics]

Staples got wacked in the profit department last quarter but this is probably not the fix for them.

This. I thought retailers generally did not make much on Apple products.. And that they only sold them to sell accessories and other stuff..

 

[MarcelV]

Perfect timing for the line of refreshed devices...