Walmart revealed the news Monday evening, confirming last week's rumor that the Bentonville, Arkansas mega-retailer would start carrying Apple's iPad this week. Electronista was first to report, noting that the company's stores will offer all 6 models of the tablet device.
The iPad, which analysts claim has had the fastest adoption rate of any consumer electronics device, can be ordered online from Walmart, but must be picked up in store. Retail stores will feature the device as part of a "separate showcase of Apple hardware," the report noted.
According to TUAW, some Walmart stores have already placed the iPad on the shelves alongside Apple's iPods in advance of Friday's official launch.
With the iPad seen as a must-have item for consumers this holiday season, retailers are hoping to cash in on Apple's success. The increased visibility and availability from retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, should help drive sales of the tablet even higher. Target began selling the iPad on Oct. 3. Best Buy expanded iPad sales to all of its U.S. stores on Sept. 26.
26 Comments
Whenever I need to pick up paper towels, pistachio nuts and and an iPad, I go to Walmart.
GTSC
But according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, Android tablets are going to outsell the iPad. I'm not to sure about that since they require you to sign a $399 two-year contract if you want to buy it without full retail price.
How much more news on "iPad coming to Walmart"?
Does anyone actually care?
Wonder how many Apple can make before 2011. Sounds like the iPad will be THE hot item for Christmas 2010. I hope Apple can make enough, I rather doubt it though.
Wonder how many Apple can make before 2011. Sounds like the iPad will be THE hot item for Christmas 2010. I hope Apple can make enough, I rather doubt it though.
Obviously Apple does not share your view on this one. There was no need to give Walmart the green light, at least from Apple's perspective at this time unless Apple is confident that production can keep up with demand.
It makes sense that since the iPad is Apple's response to the netbook, Apple would want to sell iPads via the same retailers who had a hand in moving all those disappointing netbooks.