Apple Reportedly Wants to Sell Products in Korean LG Retail Stores [Update]

Apple is reportedly eyeing a new partnership with LG that would allow the South Korean tech giant to sell iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches at its more than 400 retail "LG Best Shops" in South Korea, according to a report from Business Korea.

apple store retail
LG recently shut down its smartphone business, leaving retail space previously used for marketing its handsets being left empty. Apple is now, apparently, eyeing to use that retail space to sell its own iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. Apple's own retail presence in South Korea is still relatively small, and accepting a deal with LG to sell its products at more than 400 "LG Best Shops" is an easy way to expand its presence.

The two companies are reportedly discussing the establishment of separate Apple corners within the shops that are directly run by Apple employees or allowing LG Best Shop employees to sell Apple products after LG Electronics acquires the right to the sale of Apple products. The two sides have yet to decide when the partnership starts, but some market experts predict that it will be some time after the end of July when LG Electronics completely pull out of the smartphone business

According to the report, LG and Apple are at a disagreement over the sale of Mac computers. LG sells its own "Gram" laptops, and offering Apple's Mac in the store would be a disadvantage. As a result, the two sides are likely only to agree on selling iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. An LG spokesperson said in a statement to Business Korea that "nothing has been decided yet" and that they're "exploring all possibilities."

Update: According to a new local report, LG has suspended talks with Apple to potentially sell iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches at its "LG Best Shops" across South Korea. The report notes that LG has been spectating public opinion around the prospect of a partnership with Apple and has ultimately decided to discontinue talks.

Top Rated Comments

Lategamer Avatar
26 months ago
If Apple is selling their stuff in the LG stores, do you think they should be paying for the privilege? I mean, LG will get a cut, right?

Stick that up your Epic Pipe, Tim Sweeney
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
syklee26 Avatar
26 months ago
LG continuing to build good relationship with Apple in hopes of landing contracts for Apple Car...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hexley Avatar
26 months ago
Make Apple pay through the nose for LG's retail rent space and do not allow them to push Macs.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
swm Avatar
26 months ago

Looks like Apple is collaborating more with other companies to boost sales. very smart!

LG company is very huge in Japan and other Asian countries.
except if you find out that apple already has 2/3 of the japanese market, and the rest is dominated by local brands as kyocera, sony.

https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/japan
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kyjaotkb Avatar
26 months ago
I mean, LG’s mobile operator U+ is presumably already one of Apple’s top resellers in Korea, so technically LG has been selling iPhones in their own shop for a while already.
The big question is, will these shops stock any 5K monitors? Hmmm…
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tcgjeukens Avatar
26 months ago

If Apple is selling their stuff in the LG stores, do you think they should be paying for the privilege? I mean, LG will get a cut, right?
I would say 30% is an industry standard cut.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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