Apple confirms that for the Watch's initial launch period, orders are 'exclusively online'
It looks like interest in the Apple Watch is proving to be bigger than Cupertino expected. Because, in a recent press release, the company has confirmed that for its “most personal device yet,” orders are going to be “exclusively online” in the hope of allowing Apple to “provide the best experience and selection to as many customers are we can.”
Apple is, however, still going to allow customers to attend try-on sessions for the device from tomorrow, April 10, and these can take place in Apple Retail Stores (either with or without an appointment). Though, based on the number of customers who’ve been checking out the incoming Apple Watch online, as well as marking their favorite models in the Apple Store iOS app for speedy preordering, Cupertino indeed expects demand for the smartwatch to be huge. As such, orders are going to be online-only for the launch period, according to senior vice president of Retail Angela Ahrendts. In a press release, the SVP said:
We are excited to welcome customers tomorrow and introduce them to Apple Watch, our most personal device yet. Based on the tremendous interest from people visiting our stores, as well as the number of customers who have gone to the Apple Online Store to mark their favorite Apple Watch ahead of availability, we expect that strong customer demand will exceed our supply at launch.
To provide the best experience and selection to as many customers as we can, we will be taking orders for Apple Watch exclusively online during the initial launch period.
No more long lines, indeed.
The news comes after a report at the end of March suggested that initially, at least, supply of Cupertino’s Apple Watch models would be limited. Though, of course, given the vast number of Watch-plus-band configurations available to customers, maintaining a stock of all models and bands always was going to be a challenge for Apple. Online orders are the easiest for the company to deal with, and as such it’s no surprise we’re seeing an online-only initial launch period for the smartwatch.
Tomorrow, preorders for the Apple Watch begin in nine lucky countries. Prices for the wearable start at $349 and climb all the way up to $17,000.
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