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The Godfather · Apr 21, 2005, 10:02 AM

Yesterday, while shopping at Walmart, I saw a big sign that reads "The iPod is coming to Walmart on May 6" with a big iPod picture. This is really good news, it means that the iPod is officially desired by everyone. I wonder if Steve will make a mention of this in the next keynote.

Anybody seen iPods in Walmart yet?

wdlove · Apr 21, 2005, 10:10 AM

Yes, that is good news. I don't shop at Walmart.

OldManMac · Apr 21, 2005, 10:20 AM

Interesting. I read an article the other day, that said that Apple probably wouldn't put iPods in Wal-Mart, because it would dilute the brand (which it will), and because Wal-Mart will soon demand price drops, which will hurt profit margins (which they will, and which it will). The iPod is not nearly as profitable as Apple's computers, in terms of margin. If this is true, it's going to hurt Apple more than it helps. There are many true tales of companies much larger than Apple being hurt by putting their products in Wal-Mart.

turtle777 · Apr 21, 2005, 10:46 AM

I believe it when I see it. I don't think it's going to happen.
As if Apple needs additional sales channels to reach the customers. Pff...

-t

BoomStick · Apr 21, 2005, 10:49 AM

The only place we can get iPods locally here is at Circuit City and they are not the same price as the Apple Store.

The Godfather · Apr 21, 2005, 10:51 AM

I think it is perfect for the Dads and Grads shopping season. (I wonder why they didn't call it Moms and Grads, since graduation dates are closer to Mother's day).

broxy5 · Apr 21, 2005, 10:59 AM

Walmart is Evil. . I will not shop there for any price. Doin' ok without it. Give it a try.

Oisín · Apr 21, 2005, 11:13 AM

We don't have Wal-Mart here, but iPods are available in all kinds of stores already: Fona, El-Giganten, Fredgaard, etc. I even saw Bilka selling them not too long ago, but I think that was a one-time promotion thing.

AssassyN · Apr 21, 2005, 11:17 AM

It's good news for Apple & shareholders. That's a HUGEEEE market.

Even if you don't like Wal-Mart, it helps Apple.

ManOfSteal · Apr 21, 2005, 11:27 AM

Are iPod shuffles available at 7-11? I thought I heard that at one time or another.

Krypton · Apr 21, 2005, 11:27 AM

It will be an HP iPod.

turtle777 · Apr 21, 2005, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by ManOfSteal

Are iPod shuffles available at 7-11? I thought I heard that at one time or another.

In Singapore. That's not in the US

-t

turtle777 · Apr 21, 2005, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by AssassyN

That's a HUGEEEE market without purchasing power / money

Fixinated.

-t

GSixZero · Apr 21, 2005, 11:48 AM

Walmart is a retail powerhouse for sure. They will demand the price drop of iPods, and I don't think Apple will follow. Steve doesn't seem to be one bossed around, even by Walmart. If they are HP iPods, this may be a little more flexible, but I'm sure Apple has agreements that HP can't undercut Apple on the price.

I'll be interested to see what happens.

budster101 · Apr 21, 2005, 11:48 AM

Wallmart. meh.

ghporter · Apr 21, 2005, 11:52 AM

OMG! It's the "end times," sure enough!

Selling iPods in Wal-Mart is bad for iPods and bad for Apple. I mean, it'll be one of about five products they sell that aren't made by Chinese slave laborers. What does that say about Apple as a company and the iPod as a product? To me it says that Apple is willing to put their product in a setting that cust costs by using cheap labor at the expense of human rights and American jobs. Plus there's the problem with Wal-Mart's human rights record here at home... I try to stay away from Wal-Mart, for obvious reasons.

Boomstick, if Circuit City is more expensive than the Apple Store, then just buy from the Apple Store online! You won't find much of a discount in an Authorized Reseller's store anyway-they get booted for undercutting Apple.

willed · Apr 21, 2005, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

OMG! It's the "end times," sure enough!

Selling iPods in Wal-Mart is bad for iPods and bad for Apple. I mean, it'll be one of about five products they sell that aren't made by Chinese slave laborers. What does that say about Apple as a company and the iPod as a product? To me it says that Apple is willing to put their product in a setting that cust costs by using cheap labor at the expense of human rights and American jobs. Plus there's the problem with Wal-Mart's human rights record here at home... I try to stay away from Wal-Mart, for obvious reasons.

Boomstick, if Circuit City is more expensive than the Apple Store, then just buy from the Apple Store online! You won't find much of a discount in an Authorized Reseller's store anyway-they get booted for undercutting Apple.

Indeed

Three words: Cheapening the brand

Superchicken · Apr 21, 2005, 01:05 PM

News flash... the iPod brand is huge, and Apple in order to sell more units has to push more out the door. That said, if Walmart sells the iPod... the only people who are going to see it are going to be people who shop at Walmart. Philips sells stereos at Walmart, I hardly view them as being a cheap company since Walmart has their stuff. This really won't do to much to cheapen the brand. Walmart sells all kinds of crap good and bad. That said I think they will eventually stop selling iPods once Jobs refuses to cut prices.

OldManMac · Apr 21, 2005, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by AssassyN

It's good news for Apple & shareholders. That's a HUGEEEE market.

Even if you don't like Wal-Mart, it helps Apple.

This would NOT be good news for Apple & shareholders. Being forced to cut prices, and thus profits, would most certainly not help Apple, and Wal-Mart doesn't really care about the companies they're dealing with, unless they do things Wal-Mart's way. Quite a few large companies have already found out that mass distribution, at very little margin, isn't necessarily healthy.

iLikebeer · Apr 21, 2005, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Selling iPods in Wal-Mart is bad for iPods and bad for Apple. I mean, it'll be one of about five products they sell that aren't made by Chinese slave laborers. What does that say about Apple as a company and the iPod as a product? To me it says that Apple is willing to put their product in a setting that cust costs by using cheap labor at the expense of human rights and American jobs. Plus there's the problem with Wal-Mart's human rights record here at home... I try to stay away from Wal-Mart, for obvious reasons.

Sorry. Right on the box it says:
Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China
To me it says Apple wants a chance to sell a product to 20% of the country that mainly shops at Wal-Mart. It might also help them to steal customers that would otherwise use Wal-Mart's online music store.