Analyst expects Apple to expand store-within-store presence at Walmart, Target

“Apple’s reach will grow to new, untapped markets within the U.S. over the next two years with store-within-a-store retail outlets set to expand at Target and Walmart,” Neil Hughes reports for AppleInsider.

“Analyst Gene Munster with Piper Jaffray noted that while Apple currently has just 250 retail locations in the U.S., the company has the potential to reach many new customers by expanding its micro-store concept,” Hughes reports. “Currently, Walmart has over 3,800 locations in the U.S., and Target has 1,700 stores. Munster expects Walmart to be a significant partner for Apple in expanding the company’s presence, as Walmart has better rural distribution.”

Hughes reports, “Apple is currently testing its store-within-a-store concept at two Target locations, and 23 more stores will be added before the end of the year.”

Read more in the full article here.

Related articles:
New Apple store-within-a-store displays appear inside Walmart – April 16, 2012
Apple store-within-a-store outlets coming to Target this year, sources say – January 6, 2012

10 Comments

  1. I work at Wal*Mart. (hate to say it). But our Apple stuff comes directly from Apple. Wal*Mart has little to do with it. I try to push the Apple stuff as best I can, but am frustrated by consumers who *still want* *cheap-ass* tablets, etc. However, If I manage to engage them for a while, I can usually sway them to at least consider an iPad… BTW, our iPad display has been updated, I did it myself… and made damn sure it works… iPhone, on the other hand, is a separate department from Electronics, so I have zero control. I can say that I’ve sold many, many iPod Touches (mostly 8 gb, for the younger crowd), and we have trouble keeping them in stock, they are so popular…

  2. As a follow-up, I’ve been constantly talking to the store manager about trying to get a “mini” Apple store in our location. There are NO credible Apple dealers within a two-and-a-half hour drive from us. I have been a loyal Mac user since 1984 and was a partner in one of the first desktop publishing companies in North America… I am a huge Apple fan, almost a fanboy… and I push and I push and I push Apple every single day. I know Apple products and I know Apple’s strengths and weaknesses (which are few). I am honest to my potential customers and I try to do everything I can to make sure they get the product that is best for them… every now and again, it isn’t an Apple product… but not very often – and, I am happy to say, I sell one shipload of a lot of iPads, iPods (mostly Touches), and other Apple products. I am proud to say that I have had customers phone me after the sale to say that I have done them a real solid. I am proud to sell Apple products, and I wish that our company could convince Apple to sell more through our store… but maybe only our store. I know for a fact that selling Apple is reliant upon a salesperson that knows what they are talking about…

  3. Don’t forget Best Buy… To be honest, I prefer the actual Apple employee in my local Best Buy to the retail stores… Kinda like having a lower traffic “concierge” Apple Employee at my disposal at all times.. These guys are a home run IMHO..

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