Apple Suppliers
How to Sell Your Product in Apple Stores: A Complete Guide to Becoming an Apple Store Vendor
For a lot of product entrepreneurs, especially those in consumer electronics, getting their product into the Apple Store is the best thing that could happen to them. Apple’s brand reputation, worldwide recognition, and loyal customer base can make a product go from unknown to must-have in a matter of days.
But it’s not easy to become a vendor at an Apple Store. There is a lot of competition, the standards are high, and there isn’t much room on the shelves.
This complete, SEO-friendly guide will show you exactly how to deal with Apple Inc., what they want in products, and the best ways to improve your chances of getting into Apple stores.
Why It’s So Hard to Sell in the Apple Store
A lot of business owners want to sell in the Apple Store because it works.
Apple Inc. has created one of the strongest retail networks in the world. People know their stores for:
A wide range of high-quality products
Displays that are clean and simple
Customers trust us a lot
A lot of brand loyalty
This means that getting your product into an Apple store can lead to:
More trust in the brand
Higher perceived worth
Better sales performance
Exposure around the world
But this also means that everyone else wants in as well.
The Biggest Problem: Too Much Competition
If you want to sell things at an Apple Store, you need to know one very important thing:
You are not the only one who is trying.
At any given time, thousands of people who make products, especially in the consumer electronics space, are trying to sell them to Apple.
What This Means for You
Apple gets a lot of product submissions.
There isn’t much room on the shelf.
A small number of products are accepted.
You should still try, but you need to be smart about it.
Getting to know Apple’s retail strategy
Apple stores are not like regular stores. They are carefully chosen spaces meant to show off products that work well with Apple’s ecosystem.
What Apple Wants
Apple usually chooses products that:
Make Apple devices work better
Fit in with Apple’s design style
Give something new or valuable
Give your users a great experience
Some examples are:
Accessories for the iPhone
Accessories for MacBooks
Integrations for smart homes
Wearable and audio technology
It might be hard to get traction if your product doesn’t fit well into this ecosystem.
Should You Pitch Apple Right Away?
One of the most common questions entrepreneurs have is if they should contact Apple right away or wait.
The Truthful Answer
You can—and should—pitch Apple early if your product is ready.
But you also need to keep your expectations in check.
It doesn’t mean your product isn’t good if Apple says no. It usually means:
They already have similar things in stock.
Your brand is not yet well-known
First, they need to see if there is a demand in the market.
The Smart Strategy: Make Proof Before You Go Back
Don’t give up if your first pitch to Apple Inc. doesn’t work out.
Instead, use a strategy of building and returning.
A Step-by-Step Plan
Sell your product to other stores
Make sure you always have sales and income
Get feedback and testimonials from customers
Make people know your brand
Go back to Apple with proof that you did well.
Retail buyers like things that are already selling well. Your chances of getting accepted go up a lot when you can show that you have traction.
What Makes a Product “Apple-Worthy”?
Your product needs to meet certain standards to stand out in Apple’s very picky environment.
1. New ideas
Apple likes things that feel new and different.
Think about:
Does my product solve a problem in a way that no other product does?
Is it better than the other options?
2. Quality of Design
A lot depends on design.
Your product should:
Look modern and sleek
Use good quality materials
Look like Apple
3. Easy to use
People say that Apple products are simple to use.
Your product needs to be:
Easy to use and understand
Not hard to explain
4. Strong branding
Apple is the store’s main brand, but they also sell products from other companies that have strong brands.
Your branding and packaging should look professional and clear.
Branded Products vs. Private Label Options
There are two possible ways to become an Apple Store vendor.
1. Selling Your Own Brand
This is the most common way to do things.
Your brand name is on the product that Apple sells, which gives you
Knowing the brand
Seeing the customer
Brand equity over time
But this path is very competitive.
2. Chances to make your own brand (white label)
You could also sell your product with Apple’s name on it.
People often call this:
Brand name
White label
Manufacturing with the company’s name on it
How It Works
You make the thing
Apple sells it with their name on it.
Customers can’t see your name.
The Benefits of Private Labeling
Possibility of big orders
Easier to get into the Apple ecosystem
Good chances to make money
What are the downsides of private labeling?
No one knows the brand
Little exposure to marketing
Less control over how the product is shown
This choice is great for business owners who care more about making money than getting their brand out there.
How to Sell Your Product to Apple
One of the hardest things to do is get your product in front of the right buyer.
What You Need to Get Ready
A clear pitch for the product
Samples of high-quality products
Sales figures (if you have them)
What you can make
Structure of prices
Important Parts of a Good Pitch
Your pitch should answer:
What does your product do?
What makes it different?
How does it improve Apple’s ecosystem?
Why will people buy it?
Make sure your messages are short and to the point.
Why Retail Readiness Is Important
Make sure your product is ready for retail before you contact Apple Inc.
This includes
Packaging done by professionals
Manufacturing that can grow
A supply chain that works
Prices that are competitive
Apple wants its vendors to be very professional.
Things You Shouldn’t Do
A lot of business owners make mistakes that they could have avoided when they try to get into Apple stores.
1. Pitching too soon
It can hurt your chances if your product isn’t fully developed.
2. Not paying attention to market validation
Apple wants to see that your product sells.
3. Not strong branding
Bad packaging or unclear messages can make a deal fall through.
4. Not being able to grow
Apple might not want to work with you if you can’t handle big orders.
Other Retailers to Get Things Going
If you can’t get to Apple right away, try starting with other electronics stores.
For instance, stores like Best Buy can help you:
Get experience in retail
Make sales data
Make your product stand out more
If you do well in other stores, you can make a stronger case to Apple in the future.
Making a plan for the long term
It is very rare for someone to become an Apple Store vendor overnight.
It needs:
Staying with it
Planning for the future
Ongoing improvement
Focus on the Long Term
Make your brand stronger
Make your product better
Increase your presence in stores
Make your supply chain stronger
In the long run, these steps can make you a strong candidate for Apple retail.
Last Thoughts: Is it Worth It to Become an Apple Store Vendor?
Getting your product into Apple Inc. stores can be a huge step forward, but it’s not the only way to be successful.
The most important thing is to:
Know how much competition there is
Get your product and business ready
Make a proof of concept
Keep going
If you want to get into Apple, you can either do it through your own brand or a private label opportunity. The goal is to make a product that works well with their ecosystem and provides real value.
What You Should Do Next
If you really want to be an Apple Store vendor:
Check to see if your product works well with Apple’s ecosystem.
Make sure your branding and design are of high quality.
Get more sales through other channels
Make a strong pitch backed by data.
Think about both private label and branded options.
If you have the right plan and keep at it, you can make your dream of selling in Apple stores come true and grow your product business.
Apple Suppliers
Apple’s suppliers are an essential component of its success, using sophisticated logistics networks to deliver parts on time and to the correct locations.
Apple prioritizes quality, technological ability and scale when selecting new suppliers. They also strive to reduce reliance on one country for production purposes.
Foxconn
Foxconn is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and an important Apple supplier, operating globally from Taiwan. Their diverse product portfolio spans mobile devices, computers and TVs; Foxconn also manufactures various electronic components used by leading technology companies like Apple, Dell and Amazon.
Foxconn factories have long been the target of criticism by labor protection groups for poor working conditions and worker abuse, including 14 apparent suicides in China alone during 2010. Foxconn responded to these allegations by installing suicide nets and increasing employee welfare, as well as diversifying production locations to lessen reliance on China.
The company boasts facilities in China, Brazil, Czech Republic, India and Vietnam and holds more than 83,500 patents for research and development purposes. Their core competencies lie within cloud computing, mobile devices, IoT and big data; environmental sustainability initiatives; electric vehicle, digital health technology as well as robotics are at their center.
Foxconn produces electronics for many clients, such as Apple, Samsung, Sony and Nokia. Their Chinese plants produce over one million products daily to satisfy demand. More recently, however, Foxconn has begun diversifying its product range; for instance partnering with Fiat and Yulon to manufacture electric vehicles; developing its own technology to increase efficiency and cut costs; as well as initiating open collaboration in the EV industry with initiatives like MIH Alliance which offers software and hardware tools allowing developers to create innovative EV solutions.
Wistron
Wistron Neweb Corporation is a multimillion-dollar corporation that develops electronic components for numerous popular devices, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and smart home appliances. They also make WiFi modules, so it is not unusual to find Wistron Neweb Corporation devices connected to your network. If an unidentified Wistron Neweb device appears and appears unneeded to you then simply turn off linked devices step-by-step until the Wistron Neweb device goes away from your Wi-Fi connection; this method should help pinpoint its source!
Apple announced Monday it has placed Wistron on probation and won’t award them any new business until they take “complete corrective actions” after employees and independent auditors found violations at its plant in southern India. Employees and auditors found Wistron violated its supplier code of conduct by failing to implement appropriate working-hour management processes, leading to delays in employee pay.
Wistron’s decision to leave India comes at a time when Apple is expanding local manufacturing and opening retail stores there; their shipments under their “Made in India” banner rose 162% year-on-year according to market research firm Counterpoint.
However, it remains uncertain how the coronavirus outbreak will alter these plans. It could delay transfer of materials to Wistron’s facility in Karnataka due to delays caused by this virus; and its absence would make meeting Apple’s high-margin requirements challenging; leaving Wistron exposed against competitors like Foxconn and Pegatron that have more effective systems for forecasting demand and shipping products around the globe.
LG Corp
LG Corporation, also known as Lucky Goldstar in South Korea, is one of the country’s major conglomerates. Its subsidiaries produce electronics, chemicals, and other products used globally in homes and offices; with LG Electronics as its flagship brand. Other products produced include appliances, home theater systems and batteries for electric vehicles as well as batteries used to power other consumer devices manufactured at LG’s many worldwide factories.
LG is well known for its longstanding history of innovation, and its engineers are known for pushing the limits of technological potential. More recently, they have expanded into new product categories including electric vehicles and renewable energy projects; for instance, LG and General Motors recently joined forces to produce electric vehicle components, while investing in solar and wind projects as part of a joint venture agreement.
Bloomberg reported in April that LG Display will supply OLED screens for Apple’s forthcoming iPhone models. Apple is expected to release an updated iPhone X with 5.8-inch and larger 6.5-inch OLED models this fall; additionally, an cheaper iPhone XR with an LCD “Liquid Retina” display will also be released at that time.
LG claims its OLED screens are more reliable than those from Samsung; however, issues with Pixel 2 XL’s display indicate LG has still got some work to do in this department.
LG was fined $585 million by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2008 for illegally fixing prices of TFT-LCD displays used in computers, televisions and cellphones – the second-largest criminal penalty ever assessed by them. Since then LG has made efforts to repair relations with labor unions.
Sharp
Sharp has an established history of innovating LCD technology, but also has an unstable financial record. We reported in March 2013 on issues surrounding their high-resolution indium gallium zinc oxide screen technology which caused Apple production delays and cost them potentially millions in sales revenue.
Sharp has recently found itself beleaguered by an intensifying U.S.-China trade war, causing profits to take a significant hit and sending its stock tumbling by 14% on Friday. Though they announced an investment into Vietnam to reduce tariff impacts, its shares still declined dramatically.
According to The Elec, Apple will no longer source camera modules from Sharp. Their O-Film division was previously one of Apple’s main suppliers of triple lens and time of flight (ToF) cameras; LG Innotek and O-Film jointly made up approximately 50% of Apple’s camera modules; however O-Film was recently dropped due to allegations that it used forced labor for its products production.
LG Innotek is expected to become Apple’s main supplier for their iPhone 15 Pro Max folded periscope camera, thus replacing Sharp as part of Apple’s supply chain. Foxconn, with their dedicated camera business unit, will take over any remaining rear wide camera module orders placed by Sharp as well as any front facing module orders for Sharp’s cameras.
Sharp is currently in talks with Foxconn parent Hon Hai Precision Industry about splitting off its LCD panel business as an independent entity, under an arrangement where Hon Hai would invest alongside Japan’s government-funded Innovation Network Corp of Japan – this funding unit already invested in Japan Display which was formed through merging three other LCD manufacturers that experienced declining output and struggling finances.
Corning
Corning is one of Apple’s 9,000 US suppliers across 50 states and supplies glass for every generation of iPhone, Apple Watch and other devices and wearables as well as specialty materials and equipment. Headquartered in Harrodsburg, Kentucky – where it makes a significant economic contribution – Corning hosts its GlassFest festival to honor its rich glass history each year.
In 1947, Dr. Donald Stookey made an unexpected discovery while heating photosensitive glass in a laboratory oven. To his amazement, it crystallized into milky-white from thermal expansion and did not shatter when dropped – an important milestone towards creating glass-ceramic material destined to revolutionize manufacturing of glass production while giving rise to an entirely new product line known as CorningWare.
Corning became profitable during the dot-com boom, expanding its fiber optics business through acquisitions and research funding. Unfortunately, when dot-com stocks collapsed they saw their profitability suffer greatly – dropping as low as $1 per share by 2002 despite continued innovation and investment into technology research and development.
Corning’s primary products today are smartphone and tablet displays. Their latest innovation, Ceramic Shield, provides tougher protection from damage than any other material on the market and could potentially reduce environmental waste caused by replacing damaged screens. Furthermore, Apple funding will allow Corning to pursue even further innovations in glass technology such as creating foldable devices with flexible glass that require them to bend to accommodate foldable displays – something no other smartphone currently does.
Here a are a few blogs that may interest you!
1. Product Distributors – How to Work with Distributors!
Step-by-step training on how to sell to retail chains!
We explain exactly how to do that and how to get started today. I’ve taught over 100,000 of companies over the years across the globe on how to get your products to the stores. And so we’re here to support you. Or please subscribe to our Youtube channel and or be on the lookout for additional training that we create.
We are here to expedite the process of generating revenue with your physical products and that’s what we’re all about. Take a look at our advanced training, live events, certification programs and so much more.
In this training, I will discuss some of the things to think about when approaching a retailer to sell your products and become a vendor. Hope it helps! 🙂
Karen Waksman,
Retail MBA
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1-415-404-9540 (Call or Text)
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Retail MBA provides a step-by-step formula on How to Sell to Major Retailers, Online Retailers, Smaller Retailers, Catalogs and More. No Experience Required! These solutions continue to convert for clients year-over-year! These are Time-Tested and Proven Strategies that we utilize ourselves when going after stores! Everything we teach, we test. Want access to these formulas? ANY one of our programs and coaching systems gives you access to them now. With that said…
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