Monday, December 26, 2011

Random Retail Thought -- Can You Think of Many Retail Outlets That Sell Just One Brand?

Car dealerships: although even that has changed over the years, with many dealers selling two brands (often one American; one foreign)

Fast food restaurants -- e.g., McDonald's sells only its products, except for the branded drinks 

Service (gasoline) stations ...

... and then it starts to get difficult .... even Firestone sells non-Firestone tires ... Sears appliance stores? I don't know; I haven't been in a Sears appliance store in years ...

Apple -- one brand .... (yes, Apple stores do have some non-Apple brand accessories, but very, very limited in scope; much like branded drinks in fast food restaurants)

Ikea -- selected non-Ikea brand accessories, again

Telecom -- one branded spectrum (ATT, Verizon, Sprint), but multiple cell phone brands

Obviously I am not including the outlet stores seen in a few locations around the US.

I started thinking about that in view of John C Dvorak's recent column and while reading the bio of Steve Jobs, a Christmas gift from my wife.  How far could Apple expand its product line?