Apple Watch coming to stores on June 26

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A customer tries on an Apple Watch at an Apple Store in Hong Kong in April. Two months after Apple began taking online orders for its newest product, the company on Thursday said it will begin selling some models in its retail stores in two weeks. Apple also says it’s cutting through a backlog of online orders, with most watches ordered by the end of May shipping within two weeks. | AP

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Apple Inc. said it would start selling some models of its watch at retail stores this month, and also roll out the gadget in seven more countries.

The watch has been on display in Apple stores since April 10, when it became available for preorder online and at shops including trendy fashion boutiques in Paris, London and Tokyo.

Apple had directed people to order online, preventing long queues around its stores that have become a norm with the company’s rollout of new products.

The company said all orders, except one model, placed through May would be shipped to customers within two weeks.

“The response to Apple Watch has surpassed our expectations in every way,” said Jeff Williams, senior vice president of operations. “We’re also making great progress with the backlog of Apple Watch orders.”

The company has not given any sales figures for the watch since it began taking orders, but has often said demand was outstripping supply.

“We believe the company has made significant progress in reducing its backlog as production ramps,” S&P Capital IQ analyst Angelo Zino said in an email.

Shipments of at least 30 million watches were plausible next year, Zino said.

Apple Watch will be launched in Italy, Mexico, Spain, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland and Taiwan on June 26, the company said. Apart from the online stores, customers can buy the devices at Apple’s retail stores and some authorized resellers.

The watch is currently available in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and the U.K.

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