Late 2010 saw Apple and warehouse club retailer Costco part ways, as Costco ceased selling iPods and iTunes gift cards. It appears the two firms have kissed and made up, as massive retailer will soon begin offering the iPhone, and cellular-capable iPads through its wireless kiosks.
The news comes via an email sent to employees from Dan Brettler, founder and CEO of Car Toys and its Wireless Advocates subsidiary, which handles wireless sales for Costco:
Wireless Advocates Team,
I am extremely excited to share the news of a new partnership between Apple Inc. and Costco Wholesale. This partnership will bring a top selling line-up of Apple products to Costco members including the iPhone and embedded iPads. As Costco’s solution for wireless devices and services, we are proud to be a part of this new partnership and incorporate Apple products into our already strong product line-up in Costco.
We already know Apple products. They are not new to our business. We currently sell Apple products in two of our three enterprise channels (Car Toys and Military). We already have a great business partnership with them and this new opportunity strengthens that relationship. They are valuable to our long-term success and growth in our space. This initiative will accelerate same store sales through performance gains and new products and services, as well as enhance our strategic partnership with our suppliers. This is critical to the overall success of “Our 5 Strategic Business Initiatives”.
Brettler’s email goes on to note that there is much to be done before Costco stores can begin selling Apple’s devices, and doesn’t provide a timeline for the start of sales.
In addition, several Twitter users have reported yesterday and today that Costco has once again begun selling iTunes Store gift cards. The cards were not available via the Costco website as of the publishing of this article.
Have you seen iTunes gift cards once more available at your Costco? Let us know in the comments section below.
(Via MacRumors)
