With the flop of 3D televisions and the expansion of Apple's own retail locations, there was no killer product on the horizon that would lift it from the doldrums. Though the company accounts for almost a third of all U.S. consumer electronics purchases, analysts noted, the company remains a ripe target for more nimble competitors.Among those more nimble competitors are the wholesale clubs, which undersell big flatscreen TVs, often by hundreds, and pretty much always by more than enough to justify the annual membership cost. Apple's iPad is available at Target and Walmart (saw them in there yesterday) as well as Sam's Club, but not at Costco (I don't think I've ever seen them in there, anyway). The Kindle and Nook are both available at Staples (and they have a helpful side-by-side comparison of the models in a brochure, btw), and at least at one time, Bed Bath and Beyond had the Nook.
They merchandising, marketing and advertising all fail. A Boston marketing exec, long retired, I could still fix them up fast.
Shame their failing is so easily reversible.