2008 Woodie Awards
Apple vs Wal-Mart
Hannah Nelson, Collegian columnist
Issue date: 5/9/08 Section: Editorial / Opinion
Blu-ray players were supposed to boom after they won over HD DVDs, but the sales of the players have been disappointing for producers this year. This is being accredited to post-holiday season sales slumps and to reluctant consumers hesitant to shell out a couple hundred dollars (or their tax rebates) on a player and more expensive discs.
Especially when they are fine to settle with non-high definition DVDs. The more traditional players have stayed consistent in sales, if not improved. But companies that put out the Blu-ray players don't plan on dropping prices anytime in the foreseeable future. This move could make Blu-ray just as extinct as HD.
The Apple power is stretching beyond just entertainment. More professionals are turning to Mac OS X and Leopard as their operating systems of choice, including the IT professionals who run the technical aspects of workplaces.
Microsoft is still the dominant player, no doubt, but Apple just has that certain appeal of brand recognition and a trademark worthy innovative streak keeping it strong. The MacBook Air's travel appeal alone has got many frequent fliers making systems swaps.
For comparison, Apple Stores exist in six, soon to be seven countries, with 209 stores globally. There are nearly 1,000 Wal-Mart stores in the United States and a total of nearly 3,000 in 14 other countries, Apple doesn't even begin to make a dent in the category.
According to Fortune 500's annual ranking, Wal-Mart took the top spot in 2008 for the second year in a row with $378.8 billion in revenue. In 2006 it had come in second only to Exxon Mobile. The list also included Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Google, all beating out Apple's 103rd spot.
Apple's revenue came in at $24 billion, which drowns in the long shadow of Wal-Mart. Comparing Wal-Mart, to Apple is like comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended).
In which case, why should we even care whether or not Apple keeps acquiring monopolies? Apple has been slowly, steadily, and stealthily cutting out its competitors. It's doubtful that Apple will reach Wal-Mart sized proportions anytime soon despite the heavy brand recognition.
Maybe Apple fans are just incredibly hopeful that their brand of choice will eventually leave rivals Microsoft and assorted PCs in the dust. But I don't think that Apple has moved far enough beyond their safety net of brand loyal consumers who make up the majority of Apple's sales base.
Apple without a doubt has a following not unlike a cult classic, with a special subset dedicated to the iPhone. With the alluring product chains and the monopoly on MP3 players that has iPod doubling as a generic reference akin to what Kleenex did for tissues, it's always possible that Apple could be the next corporation superpower. The Apple takeover, if it happens, will be very subtle, taking the bite out one competitive medium at a time.
Hannah Nelson is a Collegian columnist. She can be reached at hnelson@student.umass.edu.
Especially when they are fine to settle with non-high definition DVDs. The more traditional players have stayed consistent in sales, if not improved. But companies that put out the Blu-ray players don't plan on dropping prices anytime in the foreseeable future. This move could make Blu-ray just as extinct as HD.
The Apple power is stretching beyond just entertainment. More professionals are turning to Mac OS X and Leopard as their operating systems of choice, including the IT professionals who run the technical aspects of workplaces.
Microsoft is still the dominant player, no doubt, but Apple just has that certain appeal of brand recognition and a trademark worthy innovative streak keeping it strong. The MacBook Air's travel appeal alone has got many frequent fliers making systems swaps.
For comparison, Apple Stores exist in six, soon to be seven countries, with 209 stores globally. There are nearly 1,000 Wal-Mart stores in the United States and a total of nearly 3,000 in 14 other countries, Apple doesn't even begin to make a dent in the category.
According to Fortune 500's annual ranking, Wal-Mart took the top spot in 2008 for the second year in a row with $378.8 billion in revenue. In 2006 it had come in second only to Exxon Mobile. The list also included Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Google, all beating out Apple's 103rd spot.
Apple's revenue came in at $24 billion, which drowns in the long shadow of Wal-Mart. Comparing Wal-Mart, to Apple is like comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended).
In which case, why should we even care whether or not Apple keeps acquiring monopolies? Apple has been slowly, steadily, and stealthily cutting out its competitors. It's doubtful that Apple will reach Wal-Mart sized proportions anytime soon despite the heavy brand recognition.
Maybe Apple fans are just incredibly hopeful that their brand of choice will eventually leave rivals Microsoft and assorted PCs in the dust. But I don't think that Apple has moved far enough beyond their safety net of brand loyal consumers who make up the majority of Apple's sales base.
Apple without a doubt has a following not unlike a cult classic, with a special subset dedicated to the iPhone. With the alluring product chains and the monopoly on MP3 players that has iPod doubling as a generic reference akin to what Kleenex did for tissues, it's always possible that Apple could be the next corporation superpower. The Apple takeover, if it happens, will be very subtle, taking the bite out one competitive medium at a time.
Hannah Nelson is a Collegian columnist. She can be reached at hnelson@student.umass.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Christopher Michael Nice
posted 5/09/08 @ 8:26 PM EST
Towards the end of the first page of this editorial it was said "This raises the question of whether or not high definition televisions and DVDs will be history even before they got their chance in the limelight. (Continued…)
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