“Apple Computer Australia is returning to the top-of-the-market retail scene after an absence of almost seven years. The company has inked a deal with the David Jones group, and is already selling a full range of Macintosh models and some peripherals at DJs’ Elizabeth Street, Sydney, store. That’s a pilot project — and one that’s been working really well, according to Apple Australia’s marketing director Arno Lenior. He says it will be extended to other DJs stores nationally in the next month — in nice time for the pre-Christmas buying system. Getting the very desirable Macs in front of the buying public in high-profile locations has been a perennial problem for Apple Australia. Most Macs are sold through “AppleCentres” — independently owned operations that are neatly decked out, well-stocked and operated by Mac enthusiasts who know the product well. But few of these stores are in the shopping malls where most people do their shopping … and their computer browsing,” reports David Frith for Australian IT.
Frith writes, “Possibly the most eagerly anticipated new desktop PC form of any maker in years — Apple’s new 64-bit G5 Power Mac — is on schedule to reach Australian dealers this month, Lenior confirms. Despite reports IBM is having trouble at its new US plant producing the G5 chips, Lenior says all Australian dealers should receive ‘substantial quantities’ of the new machines this month and next. Apple is over the moon about the strong orders and inquiries it is receiving for the whisper-quiet G5, many of which are coming from customers new to the Mac platform, he says.”
Full story here.
Lets just hope it doesn’t end up the same way as Apple products did a few years ago at the Harvey Norman chain. Ill presented and not often working Macs with sales staff that either steered you away or didn’t have a clue about Macs.
Good luck David Jones, I hope you can do it properly….
David Jones is a good place to sell Macs, since its customers would not be shopping there if they were not prepared to spend a little more than they would in MYERS. Their sales staff should get a proper education on the capabilities of the Mac. Shelves of recent Mac software would also be key in selling this new merchendise. I just hope the G5 PowerMacs are not displayed too close to the kitchen utilities section, especially the cheese graters.