Apple sticks to franchise model in the UK

Apple will concentrate on its existing franchises within UK stores, rather than launch its own chain of shops as it has in the US, according to company executives.

Apple will concentrate on its existing franchises within UK stores, rather than launch its own chain of shops as it has in the US, according to company executives.

Last week, Apple launched 14 high street stores in the US and said it will open a further 25 within 12 months. Each store carries a full range of Apple products, as well as third-party software and peripherals, for both home and professional users.

David Millar, a representative for Apple UK, said the move is aimed at the US and would be adopted in the UK only if conditions proved favourable.

"We have announced this in the US only and we are not currently planning to implement it in the UK," he said, adding that the US stores would provide a "learning curve" for the company.

Instead of opening its own stores in the UK, Apple is planning to set up what it calls Ecosystems, dedicated centres to provide Apple products and support in selected UK shops, over the next few weeks.

A representative from PC World said it will initially be testing the Ecosystem in six stores around London.

But Andy Brown, a senior analyst at IDC, said that Apple would do better to concentrate more on placating its channel partners, rather than looking at retail.

"Apple needs to repair some of the damage it has done to the channel and start building some inroads," he said.

Also published in Computer Reseller News