This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Simply Mac, the Salt Lake City-based independent retailer of Apple products, has opened two new stores in Texas this month, the first of a planned national expansion that will include new stores in Missouri, Lousiana and Nebraska.
The company opened its newest store Friday in Cedar Hill, Texas, about 30 miles south of Dallas. It opened another store in Midland, Texas, two weeks ago, said Simply Mac founder and president Steve Bain.
The expansion was possible after Texas-based video game retailer GameStop purchased a 49.9 percent stake in Simply Mac at the end of last year.
"It's strictly a financial and strategic investment — to help Simply Mac grow our brand," Bain said of GameStop's investment. "We've been able to leverage GameStop's real estate expertise, their HR training and recruiting support, and their buy-and-sell trade program."
Simply Mac is an authorized Apple retailer that sells iPads, iPods, Mac computers and accessories. The company is expanding into smaller markets that Apple has no interest in building its own retail stores.
"We're working with Apple to identify markets that have a high demand for Apple products and are underserved by Apple retail stores," Bain said.
Simply Mac is planning to open at least four more stores in the next four to five weeks in such towns as Springfield, Mo., and Lincoln, Neb. Currently, the company has a total of 12 stores in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Colorado, with six in Salt Lake County, St. George, Orem and Layton.
Google+: +Vincent Horiuchi