Apple Product Pricing Holds Steady: iPods, iPhone Sales Healthy

Apple (AAPL) Stores See Some Uptick in iPod Touch Sales
Over the past week, we surveyed Apple Stores to gauge trends in sales of iPod's and computers. We asked the following questions:

1. Are you discounting any iPod's?
2. What is the best selling iPod model?
3. Have you sold more iPod's in the past month than in the previous month?
4. Are you planning on discounting computers soon?

• 87% of respondents said they were not discounting iPod's currently.
• 63% of respondents said that the iPod Touch was the best selling iPod model. 23% said that the new iPod Shuffle was the best selling model.
• 57% of respondents said they had sold more iPod's in this past month than in the previous month.
• 63% of respondents reported not discounting computers or any kind. 37% said they were discounting computers.

Key Takeaway: Apple stores appear to be holding the line on pricing. This trend has been consistent throughout 2009. We believe that the pricing discipline could positively impact Apple's performance. Business also appears to be trending upwards in April. In our related survey on AT&T (T) stores (www.thechannelcheckers.com/blogs/), sales of the iPhone continue to look strong with positive trends in new iPhone account openings in addition to simple hardware unit sales.

AT&T Store Survey Shows Strength in iPhone
Over the past week, we also surveyed AT&T Stores to gauge trends in sales cell phones and new account sign ups. We asked the following questions:

1. What is the best device to get for e-mail?
2.Has there been an increase in the number of people opening accounts?
3.What is the best overall selling phone?
4.What is the best selling music device?

• 53% of respondents said that the Apple iPhone was the top device for e-mail. The Blackberry Bold (RIMM) was seen as the best device by 27% of respondents.
• 53% of respondents state that the number of new accounts opened at their location has increased in the past month.
• The Apple iPhone was seen as the best selling overall device by 67% of respondents.
• The Apple iPhone was seen as the best music device by 53% of respondents. 20% cited the Sony-Ericsson W350.

Key Takeaway: The Apple iPhone appears to maintaining its strength as the leader in every category we survey – best overall, best for e-mail and best for music. New account openings appear to be moving up a bit. We believe that AT&T Wireless is doing well with the strong allure of the Apple iPhone drawing in new users.

Comments

[Techtrader10:]

Interesting survey, no sources, no numbers as to how many were surveyed, no identification as to anything else. Doesn't make one feel all warm and fuzzy about it!

Apr 16 10:17 AM

[reagan:]

Whatever, Techtrader10. You are just some naysaying nimrod!

Apr 16 01:20 PM

[Cheat Sheet:]

I'd rather hear the numbers at the quarterly reports. Hope they reflect this survey.

Apr 16 02:27 PM

[JamesApple:]

I am not kidding. I am a consultant working for Fortune 100 companies. It is interesting that so many of my colleagues have developed a jock-itch around my iPhone. Since I am a consultant, I am not bound by the employees's shackle to their blackberries, which are all issued by the employee. The envy in their glinty eyes is so obvious, a few brave ones, usually above the rank of senior VP, could carry around their iPhones and flaunt them around. There is a real hatred for non-Apple people towards the iPhone owners. Both because they don't know how to use something not attached to a QWERTY, or they simply cannot afford the iPhone. On occasions I hear of parents who envy their iPhone / iPod wielding children ! How absurd !

Apr 16 03:05 PM

[Nextel Acce...:]

I just don't get it. AT&T network is horrible, but people keep buying the iPhone.

Apr 16 04:39 PM

[JamesApple:]

Blackberries are found mainly in lower management tiers who rely on eMail. Blackberries are just souped up pagers really.

Apr 16 05:40 PM

[Mac'em X:]

Some interesting info in there, TickerMine. Reporting the number of stores surveyed would make it even better.

(One complaint: For the love of all that's holy, it's "iPods". Not "iPod's".)

Looking forward to more -

Apr 17 10:31 AM

[brewer:]

If twenty percent said Sony (of all companies) had the best music device, I'm guessing the survey n was 5.

Apr 17 11:41 AM