Despite concerns that its late arrival and the imminent launch of an upgraded model would hinder local sales, Apple's iPad tablet PC is already close to being sold out after its opening weekend in SA.
Both the WiFi and WiFi + 3G versions are available locally, eight months after the iPad's international debut, with a starting retail price of R4 399 and R5 599, respectively.
Core Group, Apple's local distributor, says sales exceeded expectations over the opening weekend. Core Group communication manager Taryn Hyam says after posting information about the available iPad models, traffic to the company's Web site shot up by 477%.
Incredible Connection reported sales of 70% of its iPad stock over this past weekend. The most popular, comprising 85% of sales, of the six versions of the device on sale were the upper end 3G models, explains the retailer.
Hyam adds that subsequent sales reflected the online interest as some models were sold out on Friday already and, by the end of the weekend, most of the models were sold out.
However, Hyam and Incredible Connection would not put the sales figures into unit terms, as both opted not to reveal the exact number of devices sold.
Hyam says customers can expect more stock in stores later this week.
Supply and demand
distribution and pricing conditions.
“Demand for the iPad globally has been so huge that production simply hasn't been able to keep up, causing delays in release of the iPad in SA, as well as limiting the amount of stock made available now,” says Incredible Connection CEO Dave Miller.
“Also, there are very few factories around the world that can make the high-quality touch-screens that are the defining component of tablet devices,” Miller notes. “So, globally, demand for the iPad is far outstripping supply.”
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