The demand for Apple Macs in SA continues as the rationalised computer manufacturer battles to supply its local channel.
Despite the continued lack of stock, Apple Systems Centre (Pretoria), one of the largest Apple resellers in the greater Pretoria area, anticipates that it will have a 20% increase in sales for the year ended February 2001 in comparison to the previous year.
Pat Botha, financial director of Apple Systems Centre (Pretoria), says that despite two short weeks in April, she anticipates "bullish monthly sales for this more subdued selling period".
"We have only now started filling new orders again, after catching up with our back orders in April. Although the stock shortage problem is not as acute as it was during the third and fourth quarters of last year, we are still experiencing difficulties," she says. "We could sell more if stock was readily available."
Botha attributes the improvement in stock supplies to the fact that Siltek was recently appointed as an Apple distributor. "Siltek`s appointment has definitely improved stock flow."
She says there are currently considerable demands for the newly launched Apple range, which includes the new PowerBook laptops, the DV range of i-Macs and the graphite i-Book.
"The Apple products offer significant price-performance benefits that are hard to match. This includes, for instance, the ability for users to plug their video cameras directly into the new Apples, allowing them to both view and edit their home or business movies on the machine."
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