Yokosuka Navy Exchange (NEX) Electronics Department Manager Michael Owyen and Apple Representative Julie Bailey cut the ribbon officially opening the Apple Store in the main exchange during a grand opening ceremony July 20.

NEX opened the Apple store as a prerequisite for authorization to sell the Apple iPad. Photo by Kazue Young

I am really excited about this cause I am a MAC Head and now I know I can get all of my Apple needs at the Navy Exchange! YES!!

Don't get too excited... Apple Store= 2 fancy shelving units and the same half empty shelves of stuff they've always had (plus a few iPads to play with if you can see the screen over the blinding glare from the lights).

Ya, Nothing has really changed.

It's a common gimmick with companies selling mostly on brand loyalty and/or have a product with a great demand.

They force retailers into becoming 'specialty outlets' in order to get the 1 item people want.  Part of the requirement of this process is a minimum stocking level requirement.

In short, Apple is saying that if you want the profit margin off of the ipads, you'll need to buy a large number of lesser desired items.

Apple gets a huge bonus in revenue and a short term boost in apparent item popularity.  The retailers get to see the one item people want and then get stuck with low turnover inventory on their shelf space.

Just curious... what are the "low turnover inventory" items in the Apple product line?