Apple Watch to Hit Stores June 26
After many rumors we have a definite date when customers can stroll into a local store and pick up the Apple Watch. On Thursday, Apple announced that the magic day would be Friday, June 26. In addition to the official Apple retail outlets, some authorized resellers will also be carrying the new smartwatch and buyers will be able to order online in seven more countries: Italy, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Taiwan.
This move is an indication that Apple has finally worked its way through the product shortages that plagued the early days of the launch two months ago. According to Apple’s senior VP of operations Jeff Williams, just one model, the Apple Watch 44mm Space Black Stainless Steel with Space Black Link Bracelet, is still on back order while others are shipping right on time.
So how many Apple Watches have actually been sold so far? Figures from Slice Intelligence estimate that the least-expensive model, the Apple Watch Sport, has sold about 1.8 million units at $349 to $399 each. The mid-level Apple Watch has sold more than 1 million units at $549 to $1,099 while the 18K gold Apple Watch Edition priced at $10,000 and up has sold only 1,566 units. Analysts have predicted that the Apple Watch could sell anywhere from 15 million to 40 million units by the end of the year.
Having the watch available in stores should be a major turning point since potential buyers will be able to actually hold the device in their hands and weigh the pros and cons of putting down a substantial sum on a device that is likely to be obsolete in a year or two. Of course, there are millions of Apple fans for whom that won’t matter at all.
