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Apple, Best Buy alliance grows with more Apple Watch locations, expanded in-store service

Electronics retailer Best Buy on Tuesday announced a substantial expansion of its partnership with Apple, a move that will include hundreds of new Apple Watch points of sale as well as a larger Apple presence in Best Buy stores.

Best Buy's Apple Watch rollout will expand from its current 100-store footprint to include all 1,050 outlets by the end of September, Best Buy chief executive Hubert Joly revealed during the company's quarterly earnings call. The Apple Watch hit Best Buy shelves earlier this month.

"Demand for Apple Watch has been so strong in the stores and online," Joly said, as noted by Fortune.

Changes are also coming to the retailer's dedicated in-store Apple shops. Some 740 of the outlets are being updated with new fixtures and a more expansive display area, with work expected to be complete at 520 locations in time for the holiday season.

Another area of extended cooperation comes in after-sales service and support. Best Buy will be allowed to sell AppleCare and AppleCare+ plans alongside Apple hardware before the holidays begin, a change one source told AppleInsider would begin on Sept. 13.

In addition, Joly said a pilot program that will see 50 Best Buy outlets become Apple Authorized Service Provider locations is underway.