LG Electronics is in talks with Apple on selling the iPhone, the iPad and Apple Watch at LG Best Shops.
LG Electronics is negotiating with Apple on the sale of the iPhone, the iPad and Apple Watch at more than 400 LG Best Shops across the nation, according to IT tipster Tron on June 16.
The shops can use the space and salespeople made available following LG Electronics’ withdrawal from the smartphone business by selling Apple products.
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.
However, both sides are reportedly divided over the sale of Apple notebooks and desktops at LG Best Shops. While Apple wants to make its MacBook Laptops available at Best Shops, LG Electronics is refusing accept Apple’s request as it sells its own laptop, Gram. As a result, LG Best Shops will not sell Apple’s desktop computers such as iMac and MacPro as well as its laptops. They will not provide repair and maintenance services for the computers either.
"Nothing has been decided yet," said an LG Electronics official. "We are exploring all possibilities."