Best Buy & Apple
Best Buy is the largest US iPhone retailer outside of mobile carriers, selling iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watch, and accessories across over 1,000 US stores. Best Buy operates dedicated Apple Shop-in-Shop sections as an Apple Authorized Reseller and accounts for an estimated $4 to 5B in annual Apple product revenue. Apple products represent roughly 25% of Best Buy's total consumer electronics revenue.
Why it matters: Best Buy's retail presence is critical for iPhone distribution in markets and demographics where carrier stores are less convenient. The Apple Shop-in-Shop model creates a consistent branded environment and provides Best Buy staff with Apple training. Best Buy also serves as an important showroom for Macs and iPads where the sales cycle is longer than carrier-facilitated iPhone upgrades.