Dedicated iPod store to open in London

There are stores that sell just mobile phone accessories, so why not?

The idea is kinda neat but nothing new as we have had sock shops (gone) tie shops knicker shops stores who all started out in train staions etc, so podxpress should do quite well but I think it needs to make it stand out by holding lots of iPod related events. Also opening in mid Nov allows them to catch the christmas rush. Hell if it works they could even one day sell Macs. If I was those guys they should also be looking long and hard at podcasting and video.

The only potential glitch I see is Apple's shaky relationship with VARs (value added resellers). Otherwise, Andrew's remarks are right on the money. IF podxpress can get products from Apple on a timely basis (the same as or not too far behind Apple Stores) this iPod and paraphernalia only idea is a good one. BUT, this is an idea that I don't think can be replicated a thousand times. Apple uses the iPod to draw people who may switch to Apple computers into its retail stores. Too many VARs selling iPods and iPod stuff would undermine that strategy.

Their store name also lends to the ability to adapt. It's not called podXpress... popXpress could reasonably sell anything, such as Apple releasing a smart phone or Newton. More power to them. I think their overhead will be much more controllable than mobile phone stores because new phones come out weekly from many different manufacturers and they each need specific faceplates, cases, covers, chargers, batteries, etc...

I do not see a problem there at all. See, there are tons of stores that just sell mobiles and accessories. They are in the very same situation regarding new models et al.

As Steve Jobs said, the iPod mini was the world's best selling digital audio player. It's probably got an installed marketbase of a good ten million (guesstimate), far more than the nano or iPod + video have. And let's be blunt here - you could be forgiven for thinking that most of the Apple retail stores were iPod stores that also sold Macs, as opposed to Mac stores that just sell iPods. Certainly in London, where the Regent Street iPod + Mac store is always packed, there's a great market for an iPod store near Liverpool Street station in the heart of the City of London, where all the stockbrokers work. It's going to have a massive captive audience in this area of great financial importance (and rich employees).

Limited focus is as much of a boon as it is a liability. Apple knows this better than anyone. It's called the "D-Day Approach" by Geoffrey Moore. Dedicate all your resources towards a single end. Then attack. Dominate this new position and use it as a staging point to attack another beach head. Apple has focused their efforts on the iPod, dedicated what seemed like unhealthy amounts of their resources to this little device. But the rewards speak well for the effort. Certainly, we can point at marketshare numbers, mindshare numbers, etc. to show that this "D-Day Aproach" is working for Apple. But my point is, if Apple is dedicating this much to the iPod, if the iPod is their Normandy Beach, if it is that strategic, and if it is working that well, it's really not going anywhere any time soon. iPod sales have shown dramatic sequential growth every quarter. No reason to think that'll just give up and evaporate. So my two cents: brilliant. As Apple's iPod strategy expands to include thousands more third party devices, cars, plains, trains, video, etc., so can this store. It's your one-stop, all-the-cool-people-are-there, good-large-chunk-of-a-decade-trendy shop. And Apple show be beaming about this.

how many previous generation ipods did apple sell? there's a massive market out there for cases, headphones etc. I'd rather go to a store and physically examine something before purchase. I'm also impatient and hate waiting ages for a purchase to arrive. I'm just surprised its taken so long for someone to come up with this idea.

i agree, it would make me nervous as well especially if apple stores sell this stuff anyway and you can get this stuff from various online outletes i would hope that at least their prices should be lower... but probably not

If the stores are not massive i think it is ok. If they move to a new model, it's not like it is going to totally can them. I mean, Target stores carry a ton of iPod stuff. AS far as the iPod mini goes...I was just in Target yesterday and have tons of stuff for the minis. I am in college and I bet every other iPod i see if a mini. So there is still a market for the accessories. Plus, what is this place sold older iPods? Still "new in the box" but at a reduced price? I was in a costco about a month ago and saw a freakin PALLETE of HP iPods just sitting on the top of one of their massive shelves. It is so stupid that someone can't buy those.