Walmart Wants to Sell the iPad by the End of 2010
And why wouldn't they? They're already selling the iPhone, thanks to their cell phone department. And they've got a pretty good hold on the iPod line-up as well, thanks to their MP3 player section. And if you've been into a Walmart, you know that they're beginning to take their electronics department pretty seriously (even if it isn't up to Best Buy's standards). But they want to make sure that they start getting taken seriously, and in their efforts to keep expanding that particular section, they want the iPad.
The iPad is still selling out here in the States, and many believe that it's going to happen around the world as well, so whether or not Walmart gets their chance at selling the tablet device from Cupertino is still up in the air. Of course, outside of Best Buy, Apple hasn't come forward and said anything about who else might get to sell their beloved netbook replacement, but if it was going to be anyone, Walmart would probably be high on the docket.
Gary Severson, Senior Vice President of Walmart's US stores said that he expects to be selling the iPad sold in Walmarts around the country some time later this year. Walmart's planning on expanding their electronics stores throughout the rest of the year, as they see the convergence of technology, and front-room entertainment as something they simply can't ignore. We'll have to wait and see what happens with this one, but we can't imagine allowing the iPad to be sold in Walmart stores would hurt sales numbers.
[via 9to5 Mac]