Amazon has cut a new deal to expand the range of Apple products offered on its sites worldwide. This will include the latest Apple products namely iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPad Pro and Apple Watch Series 4.
Currently, many Apple products are available on Amazon, but through third party resellers. This is great news for Apple fans but not so much for independent resellers. These sellers will have their listings removed after 4 January 2019, although they can apply for authorisation through Apple.
The new deal takes effect on Amazon.com in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and India in the next few weeks.
Of course, not every Apple product will be available. For instance, you won’t find the HomePod. Likewise, Amazon doesn’t carry the Google Home speaker either, as it competes directly with Amazon’s Echo range.
An Amazon spokesperson said, “Amazon is constantly working to enhance the customer experience, and one of the ways we do this is by increasing selection of products we know customers want. We look forward to expanding our assortment of Apple and Beats products globally.”
Amazon and Apple have had a love-hate relationship over the years. They were at logger heads over Apple TV last year. Apple wanted Apple TV on Amazon.com, and Amazon wanted the Prime Video app on Apple devices. Amazon stopped selling Apple TV in 2015 to “avoid confusing customers.”
Now though, you can find Apple TVs on Amazon, and the Amazon Prime Video app is on Apple TV.
The new deal is great timing for consumers and the two brands, as we approach the year-end holiday season.
Consumers now have another channel to buy iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac and more. In recent years, Apple has expanded its online touch-points, expanding into online platforms like Amazon and Lazada. The move enables Amazon and Apple better control over inventory and pricing, as well as reduce counterfeits and unauthorised third-party sales of Apple products.
VIA CNBC
