Apple has been running their Higher Education Reseller program in Canada for the last few years. The essence of the reseller program is to give discounts to University and College bookstores to stock iPads, Mac Computers, Apple TV’s and accessories. Apple has confirmed to Good e-Reader that bookstores will no longer be able to order products effective April 27th 2014.
Much to the Universities chagrin, students are buying Apple products directly from Apple or other secondary markets. The schools don’t have a super wide selection of different configurations and most students buy their devices before they leave home. Apple-subsidized on-campus stores are basically financially unfeasible in Canada.
Students will benefit in the short-term with many schools having a veritable fire sale of existing stock. Mac Computers, iPads and other big ticket items will be sold at cost. Universities have confirmed to Good e-Reader that they are trying to get rid of everything as soon as possible, before new products are announced.
Apple will continue offering their Higher Education Reseller Program in the United States for the foreseeable future. Top universities account for a substantial part of Apple’s quarterly iPad and Mac device sales.
Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past ten years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and Verge.