Apple Watch (Finally) Hits Apple Stores

Almost two months after its online debut, the Apple Watch has hit the shelves of physical Apple Stores.

Multiple media outlets reported that Apple confirmed yesterday (June 17) that the smartwatch would be available in Apple Stores across nine countries. For those customers who head to an Apple Store and find their choice sold out, they can now order an Apple Watch in store and have it shipped.

Shipments of the watch, which launched April 10 and was officially available April 24, were long delayed due to to high demand — but now those customers who didn’t want to wait for their watch to show up in the mail can turn to Apple’s brick-and-mortar side.

But that response for Apple products is nothing out of the ordinary. With the watch debut heading online first, it did take away from Apple’s typical buzz that sends customers waiting in long lines outside its doors to get their hands on the next big device.

“The response to Apple Watch has surpassed our expectations in every way, and we are thrilled to bring it to more customers around the world,” Apple SVP of Operations Jeff Williams said when the watch launched. “We’re also making great progress with the backlog of Apple Watch orders, and we thank our customers for their patience.”

Now, those patient customers can most likely catch an Apple Watch in a store. And if not right away, they can be assured that the smartwatches will be shipped directly to them soon after. Apple has also reported that the watch should be available in seven more countries at the end of June.

Although the Apple Watch hasn’t been in Apple Stores until now, that hasn’t stopped app developers from ensuring they get their apps on the watch. Recent rollouts include eBay, which announced its new app on June 9. The eBay app is intended to help buyers stay on top of all the auctions they are interested in and sellers to continue to stay responsive to their customers and stay informed of all their selling activity.

To check out what else is HOT in the world of payments, click here.