Apple Store to move the iPod from table to rack

The long, slow demise of the iPod continues. Once a leader in Apple’s product line, the iPod will soon lose its spot on display tables at the Apple Store. Instead, the legendary device will be sold on the accessory wall at Apple Stores nationwide. At least that’s the rumor from 9to5Mac’s Marc Gurman—who has a great track record for accurate rumor reporting.

Gurman, who spoke with “several Apple retail managers,” says the changes will roll out overnight next Tuesday. It’s not clear if that means we’ll see the change the morning of August 25 or August 26. Regardless, it looks like you’ll be able to pick-up a newly revamped iPod and a pair of Beats headphones within just a few paces of each other.

In addition to the iPod losing its own display table, the Apple Store is also doing away with the iPad 2 units that served as digital information signage, according to Gurman. These devices sat next to each display product with additional information, including pricing. That information will now appear on the demonstration devices themselves. The only exception is the Apple Watch, which will retain the iPad mini as its digital signage.

Why this matters: Shunting the iPod off the main part of the sales floor is arguably overdue. Apple recently moved the iPod into the “other” category for its quarterly financial reporting. That put the focus on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac as the main drivers of the company’s business. The iPod is now more like the Apple TV than a core part of Apple’s business like the iPhone or Mac. Plus, as one of our editors pointed out, consumers know about the iPod and buyers of that product are less likely to require the same attention Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch buyers would.

More to come

Gurman says this is just the first move in what is a major overhaul of the Apple Store line spearheaded by Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts and Jony Ive. Some of this effort is already in action at the Apple Store’s Madison Avenue location on New York’s Upper East Side.