Israeli sales shoot up
February 24th 2008
Globes (Israel) reports that sales of Apple branded products have shot up several hundred percent in the last five months.
"Apple brand sales in Israel have increased 2.8 times over the last five months," said Eran Tor, CEO of iDigital, Apple's distribution partner in the Jewish state. He said that more copies of the Mac OS had been sold in the five months than in the past five years combined.
Last year iDigital bought out Yeda Computers, Apple's partner since 1982, which had a history of poor service and low marketing commitment.
Tor promised that this would change. "You needn't worry. The first Apple Store in Israel will open this year," though he declined to say when or where it would open.
Apple is greatly expanding its overseas retail operations this year with the first German and Austrian locations already hiring associates. Also, ifoAppleStore reports that the first Australian Apple Store is expected to open in April.
Editor's note: With the US economy perhaps already in recession, overseas growth is critical. Is Apple being aggressive enough?
