While Apple hasn’t expanded the mini-store concept to universities, it has not neglected those institutions for retail sales. Although these sales fall within the company’s Education group, they still constitute retail efforts. First, an unknown number of universities have physical stores on campus that sell Apple products, selected third-party products, and provide a point of advice and repair. Education discounts apply at these stores for those with student or faculty ID.
Next, at many other universities and colleges, the campus bookstore demonstrates or sells Apple products, usually alongside gear from other computer companies. The 28,000-student University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee just opened a demo area at the student union bookstore, delayed from a planned August opening. The student newspaper blog notes that, “There were problems with obtaining demo products and legal discussions between Apple and the university’s legal department on wording for legal documents.” If the demo area is popular, they may expand it to a full inventory-type operation, management has said.
Lastly, Apple appoints (hires) student representatives to help provide some level of support for Apple products on-campus. However, sometimes their best work isn’t supported by the university, such as at Clemson.
