Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is all set to start its new program to boost iPhone sales in its stores. This comes as a response to the recent report that revealed the fact that 80% of the iPhones sold are not bought from Apple Store.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has enjoyed retail leadership through its Apple Retail Stores. Its products like iPhone, iMac, iPad are sold through Apple Stores. But recently iPhones sales have seen decline. Sales are significant in case of Mac and iPad. Almost 25% of all Macs purchased in the world are bought through Apple Retail Store. But sales of iPhone are not that impressive. Tim Cook (CEO of Apple Inc.) recently unveiled a new program of recycling and trade-in of non-Apple smartphones.
The company is planning to give gift cards that can be used to purchase iPhone. These gift cards will be given to those customers who will trade-in their smartphones at Apple Stores.
The company had announced similar programs in the past for the trade-in of old versions of iPhones for updated version. This strategy proved to be successful in terms of sales. However smartphone market is ever changing. Android, Microsoft and BlackBerry are main competitors for Apple Inc. Android has taken lead in terms of devices sold and apps developed. Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia has pushed the competition even further. In such scenario, it is important to attract customers from competitors.
The company seems to have launched its new marketing program to divert consumers from BlackBerry and Android. Apple employees are being trained to help customers to transfer their contacts from their old smartphone to iPhone. Apple has also provided a guide for transferring data like photos, videos, music to iPhone for consumers switching from Android to iOS. This move seeks to bring good faith relationship with customers.
Official Announcement is to be expected soon. But it is quite clear that this new direction of business is result of insecurity caused by the storm of Android OS in smartphone market. At last, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has finally decided to expand its reach.
