Apple Watch Coming to Best Buy August 7
Over the last few years, Best Buy stores have been one of the first retailers to stock the latest products from Apple but one new item has been conspicuously absent from their shelves. The Apple Watch has not been available in any of the Best Buy locations but that will be changing in a few days as the device is coming to 300 stores in the U.S. as well as the chain’s website.
Starting August 7, 16 Apple watch models will go on sale at 100 Best Buy stores with 200 more to be added ahead of the holiday shopping season. Customers can choose from 38mm and 42mm sizes from the Sport and Watch lines as well as accessories like extra watch bands. The eight Apple Watch Edition models with prices starting at $10,000 will not be stocked at Best Buy.
This is a good move for both Apple and Best Buy since more shoppers checking out the new smartwatches will result in more sales. It also seems like an admission that Apple’s method of rolling out the wearable device could have been handled better. The Apple Watch was originally available only online or in a handful of exclusive boutiques in cities like London and New York.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently admitted that the marketing approach could have been improved. “We’ve learned a lot about the buying experience,” he said. “Based on that experience, we’re now planning to expand our Channel before the holiday, because we are convinced that the Watch is going to be one of the top gifts of the holiday season.”
Jason Bonfig, a senior category officer at Best Buy, sounded pleased about the acquisition of the new product. “The Apple Watch is a big addition to our stores and website, and we know our customers want it,” he stated. “We are excited to bring the Apple Watch to more consumers, especially with the holidays coming up.”
With smartwatches and other wearable devices predicted to be big sellers for the 2015 holiday shopping season, this move couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
