Will the Apple Store and a select high end retailer, be the only sellers of Apple Watch on launch?
Don't know if I should pre-order or purchase at Apple Store in person. Then again Apple might have pre-order with in store pickup
Will the Apple Store and a select high end retailer, be the only sellers of Apple Watch on launch?
Don't know if I should pre-order or purchase at Apple Store in person. Then again Apple might have pre-order with in store pickup
I don't see why Apple would not let Walmart and Costco get the base Apple Watch Sport while restricting the SS and Edition to Apple stores. They both have iPhones and Walmart has iPads. Both have iPods. I think the Sport could easily be sold in the same model as any iPod. That would also get them into many communities that do not rate an Apple store.
Like the first generation of any of the Apple products, it's unproven, retailers won't likely be carrying it. From a luxury product standpoint, they sell Rolex, Omegas, Tag, etc. Can Apple compete at that level? Apple has yet to prove that first. If they can, maybe after the second or third generations, they may open up a section of their store to accommodate it.
At the same time, first generation Apple products has been sold only at the Apple Store. As it gains more popularity, other retailers will start to carry them. First gen iPhone was basically Apple only, with limited AT&T retailers. There was no Best Buy, Radio Shack, or Walmart selling them.
Best Buy only in recent years have started to have a small section of their stores displaying Apple products.
No one is better than Apple when it comes to hyping products and spinning a tale their devoted followers gush over. You may remember they created a clever dialog to lead the uneducated into believing it's in high demand and will be in many "select" ultra luxury boutiques, jewelry stores etc.
Once Apple went to those businesses and shops during Paris Fashion Week, they were roundly dismissed. That must have been quite a surprise and insult to the big egos at Apple. The consolation prize was provided by one semi luxury shop that did agree to carry Apple Watch.
Honestly, I don't recall Apple framing it quite that way, but as we both know, two people can see the same image and perceive it very differently.
As to your assertions regarding Apple's lack of success during Paris Fashion Week, I assume you're speaking of Spring which took place last September? What is your source for how Apple was received? Again, as we both know, the "semi luxury" store where Apple is apparently establishing a boutique is Galleries Lafayette which is an influential department store in the city. I have even seen it compared to Harrod's. Of course we don't really have anything like it here in the US, but the closest might be what Marshall Field's on State St or Macy's Herald Square back in their heyday.