Wal-Mart to start selling Apple iPads this Friday

Apple has added a valuable new retail partner with its iPad tablet computers now slated to be sold at Wal-Mart locations nationwide. The new rollout will begin on Friday, Oct. 15 and allows the major retailer to play catch-up against two of its biggest rivals, as retailers prepare for the holiday shopping season.

Wal-Mart will offer the iPad in-store and online, the company confirmed.

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The popular tablet is already available through Best Buy and Target stores already, but adding Wal-Mart opens the device up to even more potential customers. Best Buy has carried the iPad since its launch in April, with Target receiving the iPad this fall.

Even though Wal-Mart often sells lower-priced goods, Apple products have strong drawing power and the iPad will most certainly generate additional in-store sales. The companies expect the iPad to be available in at least 2,300 of 3,600 US retail locations by mid-November.

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This is a curious business move for Apple, which has traditionally kept strict control on which stores are able to stock Apple electronics. There are already rumors of the iPad 2 and what customers can expect in 2011, with a lighter, slimmer model that might include mini-USB and many other sought after features.

Amazon sells its Kindle e-readers at Target, Staples and other brick and mortar retailers, which has made the Kindle even more popular with consumers.

Apple iPad tablet computer sales were strong over the first 90 days, and continue to see strong sales numbers. Best Buy recently blamed the iPad for cannibalizing the netbook market, which still has some analysts extremely concerned about the overall PC market. Intel also recently stepped forward to say there is concern related to the iPad, but admitted both PC and tablet sales will benefit from the popularity of the iPad.

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In the past, we've seen Apple agreeing to sell the iPhone at Wal-Mart stores, so it makes sense for them to continue their relationship with the United States' number one retailer by offering the iPad for sale there as well. At the very least, it will allow the masses to get a glimpse and a hands on demo of an iPad, which they might not have been able to do without Wal-Mart stocking it.

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