Asia-Pacific including Japan now accounts for 36 per cent of Apple's US$39 billion sales

GLOBAL - Apple more than doubled its net sales in Asia-Pacific (including Japan) during the first three months of 2012, for the first time taking in almost as much revenue from Asia-Pacific as it did from the Americas.

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Sales in the region grew 109 per cent from US$6.1 billion in the first quarter of 2011 to US$12.8 billion for the same period this year. Sales totaled US$13.2 billion in the Americas.

According to Apple's financial report, released April 24, the growth in net sales was mainly due to the increased demand for the iPhone and the successful launch of iPhone 4S in mainland China (albeit delayed compared to other markets).

The firm also credited "strong demand for iPad during the first quarter of 2012" in China, despite the delayed launch if the newest iPad in the country. A report by The Next Web said the launch of Apple's newest iPad in China was delayed due to an ongoing lawsuit between Apple and Taiwanese firm Proview over the iPad trademark in China.

Apple's CEO Tim Cook, who paid China a visit in March this year, described sales in the country as "mind-boggling", grabbing US$8 billion in revenue for greater China. Over the past year, Apple has indicated its interest in China with the launch of Apple Stores in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.

According to the Wall Street Journal, until 2009, Apple never reported its Asia-Pacific revenues in its financial geographic breakdowns.

Based on these results, Shaw Wu, analyst with Sterne Agee, told CNN that Apple has moved beyond a "US-centric story to more of an international one, focused on growth markets like Greater China."

Source:

Campaign Asia