Apple now using retail stores as distribution centers in North America

Apple recently began to use its vast chain of brick-and-mortar Apple Store locations as nodes in a product distribution network, enabling faster receipt of items than those shipped from China.

The strategy is a marked shift from Apple's its standard operating procedures, which until now has seen the tech giant fulfill online orders from regional distribution centers or directly from manufacturers in China.Citing sources familiar with the company's new shipping process, Bloomberg reports products like iPhone, iPad and Mac will ship to buyers from a network of nearly 300 retail outlets across the North America. Apple told employees that direct shipments from Apple Stores will translate to faster delivery times, the report said.

Read more...