Best Buy announced today in a press release that it will become the first national retailer, aside from Apple, to sell Apple Watch in stores. The company says that the device will hit more than 100 of its stores on August 7th and will be available online from that date, as well. Best Buy will expand Apple Watch availability to another 200 locations in time for the holiday shopping season.
Best But doesn’t specify which Apple Watch models it will sell, but says that customers will be able to try-on and buy 16 of the variants, including Sport and Watch models in both 38mm and 42mm sizes. The retailer will not sell the Edition model. In addition to Apple Watch itself, Best Buy will offer “nearly 50 accessories,” including bands, screen protectors, stands, and chargers. It’s unclear what bands will be available or if they will be Apple-made or aftermarket.
Jason Bonfig, Best Buy’s senior category officer, had the following to say about the retailer’s upcoming offering of Apple Watch:
Best Buy says it will update its website in the coming days with more details regarding Apple Watch, including which stores will offer the device on August 7th.
The Apple Watch, one of the year’s most talked about and innovative products, is coming to Best Buy.
Starting Aug. 7, Best Buy will be the first national retailer, other than Apple Stores, where customers can buy the Apple Watch. It will begin to arrive in more than 100 Best Buy stores and will also be available on BestBuy.com. Another 200 of our stores will have the Apple Watch in time for holiday shopping.
“The Apple Watch is an important addition to an emerging product category, and we know our customers want it,” said Jason Bonfig, senior category officer at Best Buy. “We are excited to bring Apple Watch to more consumers, especially with the holidays coming up.”
Our customers will be able to see, try and buy 16 Apple Watch models – including Sport and Watch models in both 38mm and 42mm sizes – and nearly 50 accessories, including watch bands, screen shields, stands, chargers and more.
You can visit BestBuy.com in the coming days for more information, including which stores will have the Apple Watch, how to accessorize your new device, and more.