Apple Bans Online Sales In Japan 237
siddesu writes "Large retail stores in Japan were ordered a week ago to stop selling Apple products online (Google translation; Japanese original). The comments in the Japanese business newspapers suggest that Apple believes online shopping confers an aura of 'cheapness' on its products; but surely killing the Apple store's competition must have entered into the calculation. As of today, most of the largest retailers have notices on their Apple catalog pages asking you to visit the shop if you want to acquire a piece of magic. It seems that for the moment the campaign is aimed at the big fish, as smaller shops still seem to be selling Apple products."
Cheapness? (Score:5, Funny)
That certainly explains Apples App store.
Re:Cheapness? (Score:3, Funny)
also, store.apple.com
So tell me, (Score:3, Funny)
Der Führer!
In the UK too please! (Score:5, Funny)
Oh please Applie extend this to the UK too.
My other half desperately wants a new expensive Macbook and I'd rather spend the money on beer. Do this and it would make it impossible for us to get one as there isn't an Apple store near here.
Bottoms Up!
Philip
Commodity vs unique product. (Score:3, Funny)
Apple fan boys a side, you, me, and just about anyone else these days can pretty much go out and buy a computer or hand held based purely on specs from just about any manufacturer and end up with a fairly satisfying device. This scares the pants of manufactures since the premium markup (100-1000%) they've enjoyed for years tanks and end up looking like grocery store mark ups on milk. (Less than 10%)
In another 5-10 years when you can have an entire computer on a single chip, the transition to a commodity will be complete and companies like Apple, Dell, Asus, ATI, Nvidia etc that don't come up with some sort of niche service will die out and get swallowed up by the likes of Wal-Mart, Tesco, Coscos.
Re:Yea this is why (Score:2, Funny)
Apple needs some huggy love from Bubba the Big Goverment Bear.