The world’s media is reporting the launch of Apple’s iPad 2 overnight. More than 2,200 stories, like the one from The Sydney Morning Herald. The iPad is following the iPod playbook. Version 2 is thinner, faster and more functional. The device will appeal to more people. The larger the distribution channel the more interesting to content publishers.
Meanwhile, Folio is reporting a slowdown in the launch is iPad apps by magazine publishers.
Would you stock the iPad if you could?
It’s primarily pitched to media consumers, so in theory each one you sell would mean fewer mag and newspaper sales.
But your buyers and setting would seem the ideal place for iPad sales. I suppose the question would be, what’s the margin like on selling iTunes credit?
Kieran,
If a properly coordinated, properly marketed and properly merchandised pitch could be made i think many newsagents would take up the opportunity.
Each one sold may mean less newspaper and, to a lesser extent, magazine sales. But those people who make the purchase are likely to be lost to the medium at some point anyway. Better we make a profit on the transition than none at all.
As for itunes credit, my feeling is that it is mostly purchased by tweens/teens and for others as a gift. The majority of people making iTunes purchases are doing so with a credit card linked to their account.
The large list of Android tablets being released this year present an opportunity if a newsagent group were to full heartedly take on the challenge.