Walmart has publicly confirmed that they will begin selling the iPhone on Sunday, December 28th. While the timing may be a little awkward (right after the holidays), the addition of Walmart’s enormous distribution chain is sure to add value to Apple’s iPhone sales.
There were many rumors floating around about the iPhone being sold at Walmart. The Boy Genius Report first brought attention to the story, and the date they first anticipated has turned out correct. However, speculation that Apple would start selling a $99 iPhone (through Walmart) was completely unfounded, and regardless of what a few accurate sources said, the industry ran with it.
Even though additional established sources came out and said the $99 pricepoint seemed unlikely, people still had high hopes that it might happen. Leading up to the public confirmation, we also had a leaked memo, and some premature advertising that was spotted as well.
Walmart’s press release: The retailer will offer the black 8 GB iPhone 3G model with the every day price of $197 and the 16 GB black or white model for $297, with a new two-year service agreement from AT&T or qualified upgrade. As America’s price leader, Walmart’s price match policy also allows stores to match the price of any local competitor’s advertised store price on the same item within the same promotional period.
“We are delighted to bring customers this ground-breaking mobile technology,” said Gary Severson, senior vice president, Entertainment, Walmart. “Our electronics associates have been preparing for many weeks for the arrival of iPhone 3G. We are excited to now help new customers learn more about the features and services that make the iPhone unique.”
Walmart will add nearly 2,500+ distribution centers where consumers can purchase Apple’s iPhone. Even though we’ve reported about Apple and AT&T butting heads a little bit with the iPhone’s future distribution, it would’ve been very difficult to ignore the significance of so many new locations. Perhaps we’ll start seeing Macs at Walmart sometime in 2009.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
2 Comments to “Walmart Confirms Selling the iPhone for $197, Sales Begin Dec.28th”
We knew it was coming, and if anyone REALLY thought it was coming for $99… Get your head out of the clouds !!!
[Reply]
I’m glad I never bought into the $99 iPhone hype. Would’ve gotten my hopes up for nothing. No wonder Apple can’t catch a break on Wall Street, everything they do gets undercut by a fabricated rumor. What an evil scenario.
[Reply]