The majority of Japan's 20,925-strong chain of Seven-Eleven convenience stores will stock official Apple iPhone accessories including cables, power adapters and EarPods.
Apple Accessories in a Japanese store. (Photo: Macotakara)
Beginning on May 22, the convenience stores owned by Seven-Eleven Japan Co. are stocking a series of iPhone accessories made by Apple. It appears that this is the the first time a Japanese convenience retail chain has stocked Apple-made accessories, at least with Apple's blessing.
This is also a particularly significant move because the plan is believed to be for some 90% of the country's 20,925 stores to stock Apple items ranging from Lightning cables to EarPods.
"By selling Apple accessories at Seven-Eleven throughout the country," announced the company in a translated press release, "we will provide many customers with the convenience of being able to purchase at 'when they want,' 'immediately,' and 'nearby' stores."
The accessories will appear first in stores that are chiefly in central Japan, specifically Seven-Eleven outlets in Tokyo, the Nagano Prefecture, and the Yamanashi Prefecture. The initial release will also include the northern island of Hokkaido.
Apple Accessories in a Japanese store. (Photo: Macotakara)
"We will develop a lineup of nine products in total," continues the release."In addition to audio charging accessories, Lightning cables (0.5m, 1m, 2m) of different lengths that can be used in various scenes, accessories for high-speed charge that iPhone 8 or later supports (18W USB-C power adapter and USB-C to Lightning cable."
The company does not specify a timeline or even definitively state how many stores will get the accessories, but it does specify that Apple Accessories "will gradually expand nationwide."
Japanese blog Macotakara, however, is reporting a count of stores from unnamed sources. "Around 90% of [Seven-Eleven stores] are predicted to introduce the products," it says.