Next Byte buys Hobart AppleCentre

Apple reseller Next Byte has acquired the Hobart business of AppleCentre Wise IT, which tumbled into receivership last month.

Tim Kleemann, joint managing director at Next Byte told CRN that the reseller had purchased the store from the receiver McGrath Nicols. Next Byte did not make a bid for Wise’s Burwood, Sydney store.

Next Byte now operates 13 Apple retail stores Australia-wide following the purchase of the Hobart location, its first foray into Tasmania.

Eight front end and technical staff have been offered positions with Next Byte, Kleemann said.

As reported in CRN recently, Apple Computer Australia, Wise’s secured creditor, appointed Scott Kershaw and Murray Smith as receivers after the reseller defaulted on its payments to Apple. “We felt that it [the acquisition] made good sense, we have already arranged for that store to be well stocked,” he said.

Next Byte also has stores in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

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