Even I also, some times get confused about why apple releasing the new products only in US market, why they can’t they go for global. Each product coming from Apple is a resultant of their continuous research and innovation for several years, by spending billions of dollars. While they are releasing the new products locally, it gives a green room to the competitor, for at par products. During one of my foreign trip, happened to use a gadget which is similar to that of Ipad in function and feature wise, But cost wise its half of Ipad. Here the innovative power of Ipad is copied by the local manufacture and they are selling the same thing with different brand name.
If apple is planning the release of new products globally, they can reduce the production cost and hence the customer can also be benefited.
I actually wasn't as surprised that 44% of Apple's sales are her in the US. Their product launches are timed in the US first creating a backlog in demand. However, I'm not sure I understand Apple's hesitancy to do a global launch a create a worldwide demand and therefore maybe even a worldwide standard. This, I believe may open up the doors for their competitors when they release like products. Maybe Apple has been doing business a certain way for so long, they are hesitant to change and having $51B in the bank is their affirmation that they are doing something right!
Using credit cards for sales is a good tracking tool for business owners. I bet Apple would not necessaily mind cash or credit, but the data generated with these cards helps their business team to project future sales by geography.
In addition, Apple's total of $51.1 billion, out of which 25.4 billion is packed away in long-term investments is a proberly why investors can look away from the volatility of their stocks.
I think it would be fair to say that Apple has not really impacted the developing world, which reflects the not-so-impressed attitude of the population in these countries. This could be a challenge with other platforms catching the imagination of the young folks in countries like India, Brazil, China and this group is a huge market!
True, also I'm pretty sure that people of non-Asian origin are perfectly capable of shipping packages overseas.
Anyhow, that whole ordeal would have never happened had they had a more coordinated worldwide launch. Just a small example of Apple's current attitude towards the International market.
I'm actually slightly surprised that 44% of the net sales came from inside the U.S., obviously (as you mention) there is extensive room for growth there and the company has yet to fully take advantage of international demand.
A small example of this: here in NYC, the Apple stores were briefly criticized for being hesitant to sell iPads to groups of Asian people paying in cash (more information here). That's because -- for a time -- there was significant money to be made simply by buying iPads in the states and shipping them to buyers overseas for a premium.
Now I'm not sure when (or even if) Apple will ever reach that 60 to 70 percent worldwide sales ratio you mention, but I'm fairly certain that won't be achieved in the short-term. 5, 10 years ago... who knows? If we've learned one thing from Apple's ups-and-downs thus far, it should be that their future is a great big unknown.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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