Commentary

Where Are The BlackBerry, Android Stores?

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Among the staggering numbers reported by Apple in its Q1 earnings results Tuesday, was the $3.85 billion it took in during the quarter from its retail stores alone. That total was nearly double the $1.97 billion a year ago, and gives the retail business an annual run rate of $16 billion.

That's bigger than the GDP of many developing countries. With its expansive product line, from Macs to iPhones to accessories, it only makes sense for Apple to operate its own stores. But given Apple's enormous success selling its own stuff, why don't any of its smartphone rivals follow suit by opening up their own dedicated outlets?

It's probably the easiest business and marketing strategy Apple's competitors could replicate without running into intellectual property issues. BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion is one that comes immediately to mind to open its own stores in key markets like New York, San Francisco and other cities internationally.

No, RIM doesn't sell a huge variety of gadgets like Apple -- but it also wouldn't need stores with as big a footprint as Apple. It already has a strong brand in the mobile space and millions of customers to start with, so generating initial interest for its own retail stores shouldn't be difficult. Then it's just a matter of providing a clean, well-lighted space to showcase its phones and coming line of tablets, along with cases, headphones and any other related gear.

Even more important would be following Apple's example of staffing stores with a small army of knowledgeable, friendly salespeople to offer better service than customers will get at any other retail outlet. Before buying a smartphone or other device, shoppers typically have a lot of questions and need a fair amount of hand-holding. Who better to provide help than the manufacturers' own experts in their own stores? Oh, and the ability to check out anywhere in the store via sales associates is another good feature to borrow from Apple stores.

Of course, this approach might not sit well with manufacturers' carrier partners, who typically sell and market BlackBerry and other handsets through their own retail outlets. And in recent years, the major carriers have upgraded the quality of their stores and staff in connection with the growing appetite for smartphones.

But AT&T has obviously benefited hugely from the iPhone even though Apple sells them directly in its own stores as well as through AT&T outlets, Best Buy and other retail channels. Wireless service from a given carrier could be activated within a BlackBerry store, like the iPhone at Apple stores. Ultimately, the more phone or tablets sold, the better for carriers as well as manufacturers.

Google last year flopped when opening an online store for the Nexus One. Maybe it should try the retail business again, but with a small number of physical stores aggregating Android-powered phones and other gadgets from various manufacturers, staffed with Android experts. Ditto for Microsoft in rolling out its new line of Windows Phone 7 devices.

Apple has shown there's value in operating specialized, brick-and-mortar stores where consumers can easily browse and demo high-tech gear and get helpful in-store service. Its distinctive glass-encased stores have only added to the cult of Apple. But its retail model is one other companies with growing lines of high-end gadgets can follow.

2 comments about "Where Are The BlackBerry, Android Stores?".
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  1. Greg Wind from Matter Communications, January 19, 2011 at 4:53 p.m.

    That's two! ;)

    See comments -> http://www.mediapost.com/publications/index.cfm?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=142223

  2. Edward Hunter from Loop Analytics, January 24, 2011 at 1:45 p.m.

    Mark well said and it's worse than that even when you consider the Android 'App Store' inline incarnation. When we first started working with brands on mobile apps we obviously wanted to be able to drive adoption online via web channels as well as on-device. Apple makes this easy, you can find apps by searching and browsing and then get shuttled over to iTunes to make the buy (also driving adoption of iTunes to the 4 people left who don't have it).

    With Android, you have to implement this crazy QR code scheme that makes the person, you guessed it - photograph a code on their desktop screen with their mobile phone. And you can't even search for an app by name.

    Fortunately, brands have a lot of options when driving mobile adoption besides the app stores. Nicely done here sir!

    Edward Hunter, CIO & Mobile Brand Strategist
    Loop Analytics, LLC

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