Apple wants LG stores to sell iPhones around UnPacked event in South Korea

LG will be officially exiting the smartphone market this month and all manufacturing and selling businesses will be shut for good. According to the latest update, Cupertino-based tech juggernaut Apple wants LG to sell its products at the various LG outlets in South Korea where Apple’s biggest competitor Samsung is based.

LG Electronics will continue to focus on manufacturing home appliances, computers, and other products except for smartphones. This is where Apple saw a golden opportunity to sell its products on a large scale in South Korea and fill up the empty shelves at the many LG stores in the country.

Apparently, LG has given its node to the proposal wherein Apple will be able to sell its Watches, iPhones, iPads, and other products via LG’s retail network nationwide in South Korea. LG currently has over 400 LG Best Shops in the country and Apple could end up tapping into the indispensable offline stores through these stores.

Apple plans to put its products up on the shelves at LG stores starting next month i.e. August. For those who might not know, Samsung has already confirmed its next big launch on August 11. This couldn’t be a coincidence as the rivalry between Apple and Samsung is not hidden.

The Cupertino-based giant won’t be selling Macbooks and iMacs at LG stores because it creates a conflict between both the brands selling computers and components.

LG faced a lot of backlash after the “win-win” agreement by the National Mobile Commission Distribution Association that the business plan goes against it. However, since LG is shutting down the business, the company is liable to sell products via its retail stores that have a footprint across South Korea where Apple will be targeting customers aggressively.

Apple recently slid down to the third position in terms of units shipped after Xiaomi bypassed it while Samsung continues to stay on top. Apple is currently gearing up for iPhone 13 series by this fall followed by the iPhone SE 3 in the first half of next year.