Are Apple Stores eliminating boxed software?

Are Apple Stores eliminating boxed software?
Tags: Merchandising, Multichannel Retailing, Retail - Electronics
February 7, 2011

Apple's App Store has been an overwhelming success by anybody's standard, recently surpassing the 10 billion download mark. But does that success spell the end of boxed software in retail stores?

A rumor being circulated by MacRumors.com seems to suggest so. According to its source, the new sales procedure at the Apple Store would involve walking the user through the process of purchasing apps from the App Store when a new computer is bought.

As MacRumors points out, the shelf space that currently houses $19 games and $49 productivity software could instead be used for $199 iPods and other higher-dollar items.