All of the iPad 2 tablet computers allocated by Apple Inc. for the Taiwan market were snapped up by locals on the first day of sale, as expected by market analysts. One retail chain said it also received orders for 1,000 units from customers who failed to purchase the new product from the first shipment.
The quick sales and clearing of the shelves at distribution and retail outlets also prompted more fans of Apple products to renew their call for the U.S. technology giant to set up direct-sale stores in Taiwan as early as possible to provide better service and access for customers on the island.
Apple's iPad 2 tablets officially went on sale in Taiwan yesterday morning. Apple's main distributors in Taiwan — Studio A, DataExpress Infotech Co. and Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co. — opened their doors to long lines of customers 11 a.m. who were determined to get their hands on the popular tablets.
At one of Tsann Kuen's Taipei stores, several hundred people braved the rains to gather an hour before it opened, waiting to buy Apple's next-generation tablet PC that was first launched in the United States in March this year.
One consumer surnamed Wang in Taipei said she waited for 14 hours since Thursday for the opening of the store. Wang admitted that she is a big fan of Apple products and she was glad to be able to buy two on the first day of sale.
Some Apple product fans said they queued for 27 hours for the chance to buy an iPad 2 at a separate store.
Local media reported earlier that Apple shipped 15,000 iPad 2s to Taiwan in its first consignment of the product to the island, not enough to satisfy anticipated demand at local stores.
“We have 5,500 units of the iPad 2 in our 30 stores around the country, which is supposed to be the most among all retailers,” said Steven Yen, a vice president at Tsann Kuen.
But all the tablets were completely sold out in a short period of time.
Stronger Enthusiasm
The enthusiasm about iPad 2 shown by consumers was stronger than that for iPad, Yen observed.
Consumers who want to buy the iPad 2 may have to wait until early June, depending on Apple's delivery schedule.
Demand was particularly strong because the product's launch date in Taiwan was close to its March launch in the United States, resulting in consumers being willing to wait to buy the official version rather than opting for a parallel import.
Other major factors include the more advanced functions and features, compared with the popular iPad tablets.
Taiwan's telecommunications service companies like Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone, and Taiwan Mobile, have all rolled out incentive plans to cater to customers who now have the chance to use iPad 2s.
Share Price Rise
The launch of the product in Taiwan helped lifted yesterday the share prices of Taiwan companies engaged in OEM production services for Apple.
The stocks of retail chains for 3C products also benefited from the product launch.
Taiwan consumers with strong confidence in Apple products expressed hope that Apple will set up direct stores in Taiwan in the wake of similar plans in China and Hong Kong, saying that this would improve its brand image and the quality of local after-sales service.
Taiwan was in the fourth wave of the iPad 2 global release. It was first put on the market in the United States on March 11, in Europe on March 25, and then in major Asian markets such as Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and China in late April.
Apple announced recently a plan to expand its direct stores in China from the existing four to 25 by the end of 2011, including a new one in Hong Kong.
The quick sales and clearing of the shelves at distribution and retail outlets also prompted more fans of Apple products to renew their call for the U.S. technology giant to set up direct-sale stores in Taiwan as early as possible to provide better service and access for customers on the island.
Apple's iPad 2 tablets officially went on sale in Taiwan yesterday morning. Apple's main distributors in Taiwan — Studio A, DataExpress Infotech Co. and Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co. — opened their doors to long lines of customers 11 a.m. who were determined to get their hands on the popular tablets.
At one of Tsann Kuen's Taipei stores, several hundred people braved the rains to gather an hour before it opened, waiting to buy Apple's next-generation tablet PC that was first launched in the United States in March this year.
One consumer surnamed Wang in Taipei said she waited for 14 hours since Thursday for the opening of the store. Wang admitted that she is a big fan of Apple products and she was glad to be able to buy two on the first day of sale.
Some Apple product fans said they queued for 27 hours for the chance to buy an iPad 2 at a separate store.
Local media reported earlier that Apple shipped 15,000 iPad 2s to Taiwan in its first consignment of the product to the island, not enough to satisfy anticipated demand at local stores.
“We have 5,500 units of the iPad 2 in our 30 stores around the country, which is supposed to be the most among all retailers,” said Steven Yen, a vice president at Tsann Kuen.
But all the tablets were completely sold out in a short period of time.
Stronger Enthusiasm
The enthusiasm about iPad 2 shown by consumers was stronger than that for iPad, Yen observed.
Consumers who want to buy the iPad 2 may have to wait until early June, depending on Apple's delivery schedule.
Demand was particularly strong because the product's launch date in Taiwan was close to its March launch in the United States, resulting in consumers being willing to wait to buy the official version rather than opting for a parallel import.
Taiwan's telecommunications service companies like Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone, and Taiwan Mobile, have all rolled out incentive plans to cater to customers who now have the chance to use iPad 2s.
Share Price Rise
The launch of the product in Taiwan helped lifted yesterday the share prices of Taiwan companies engaged in OEM production services for Apple.
The stocks of retail chains for 3C products also benefited from the product launch.
Taiwan consumers with strong confidence in Apple products expressed hope that Apple will set up direct stores in Taiwan in the wake of similar plans in China and Hong Kong, saying that this would improve its brand image and the quality of local after-sales service.
Taiwan was in the fourth wave of the iPad 2 global release. It was first put on the market in the United States on March 11, in Europe on March 25, and then in major Asian markets such as Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and China in late April.
Apple announced recently a plan to expand its direct stores in China from the existing four to 25 by the end of 2011, including a new one in Hong Kong.
