Apple is reportedly discussing a new partnership with South Korean tech giant LG to sell iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watches in over 400 “LG Best Shops” shops in South Korea, says a report from Business Korea.
The discussions come in the wake of LG’s recent decision to exit the smartphone business leaving retail space previously used to sell LG handsets available for use by Apple. The Cupertino firm’s own retail presence is rather small, and a deal with LG would put Apple products in more than 400 “LG Best Shops.”
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.
The Business Korea report claims LG and Apple are facing a sticking point in the negotiations, as Apple would also like to sell Macs in the shops, while LG still sells its own “Gram” laptops in the stores, and offering Apple’s Mac in the store would be a disadvantage. The stores will also not offer repair or maintenance services for Macs either.
“Nothing has been decided yet,” said an LG Electronics official. “We are exploring all possibilities.”