While Apple has been mostly mum on the numbers behind Apple Watch sales so far, Best Buy is standing behind the iPhone maker’s general message that the Apple Watch has been a hit with customers. The electronics retailer started selling Apple Watches this month in select stores, first in the United States and later in Canada, and today Best Buy’s CEO Hubert Joly said Apple Watch demand has been “so strong” both online and in stores as the retailer plans to carry the smartwatch at even more locations.
Joly’s declaration came during the company’s earnings call with investors today as the company disclosed a successful second quarter with increased revenue, Fortune reports. Apple Watch sales, however, didn’t kick off at Best Buy in the US until August 7th and a week later in Canada; Best Buy’s Q2 report released today covers up to August 1st and does not include revenue from Apple Watch sales.
Still, Joly’s positive comments suggest Apple’s 3-month exclusive period of selling the Apple Watch (mostly online for two of those months) didn’t completely cover demand for the smartwatch. Best Buy has more than 1,000 stores around the world with most located in the US and often in markets without Apple Stores.
The big box retailer last month committed to carrying 16 models of Apple Watch and accessories, including select Apple bands at 100 of its stores initially followed by 200 more before the holiday season. Further suggesting the soft launch has been a positive one, Best Buy now says it plans to carry the Apple Watch at all 1,050 of its stores before the end of next month.
Finally, Joly shared during the call that Best Buy was enhancing its dedicated Apple shops located within 740 of its stores with nearly half already complete and another 170 expected to open before the holidays. The Best Buy CEO also confirmed our report from a week ago that the retailer will soon begin offering AppleCare Protection Plans for compatible products with 50 stores already running a pilot program that will see stores become authorized service providers.
Despite initially being a CurrentC backer, Best Buy is also set to start accepting Apple Pay at checkout in stores later this fall with in-app support on iPhone already live.
