The Retail Impact of the Apple Watch

Retailers are ready for shoppers armed with Apple Watches. The first wave of consumers — the millions who made the preorder window — will start receiving their watches today. Everyone else will have to wait until June, when the smartwatch begins shipping in earnest and hits Apple stores. Merchants have been quick to develop apps for the watch, with Target, QVC, Etsy, Kohl’s, eBay and Asos all jumping in. The benefits could be huge if the smartwatch becomes a steady shopping companion. Analysts estimate that Apple could sell about 20 million Apple Watches this year. Prices start at $349 for sport models with aluminum casing and fluoroelastomer bands to $10,000 for 18-karat yellow or rose gold casings with leather bands and corresponding gold buckles and clasps. RELATED STORY: Fashion Retailers Get Behind Apple Watch >> While the experience is largely an extension of the smartwatch’s companion iPhone app (the majority of sales will still take place on the phone), the Apple Watch is the latest tool for merchants wanting to become omnichannel retailers. Kohl’s, for instance, has been developing its smartphone experience and driven more than 5.5 million downloads for its app since October, with many people using its proprietary mobile wallet feature that is home to

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