Chinese Retail Sales YoY Actual 6.4% (Forecast 4.9%, Previous 5.1%)

Chinese Retail Sales YoY Actual 6.4% (Forecast 4.9%, Previous 5.1%)

Apple (AAPL) has achieved a significant milestone in China, emerging as the leading seller of iPhones for the month of May. This performance is part of a broader trend that saw the company's global sales for April and May increase by 15% compared to the previous year. This represents Apple's most robust sales growth since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, as per data from Counterpoint Research [1].

The company's strong second-quarter performance is notable, with analysts forecasting an average target price of $231.02 for Apple Inc. (AAPL), indicating an upside of 15.97% from the current price of $199.20 [1]. The consensus recommendation from 51 brokerage firms is "Outperform," suggesting that analysts are bullish on Apple's prospects [1].

Key business developments for Apple include a 5% year-over-year increase in revenue to $95.4 billion, with a March quarter record for diluted EPS at $1.65 [1]. Services revenue reached an all-time record of $26.6 billion, growing 12% compared to the prior year. iPhone revenue increased by 2% year over year, driven by the iPhone 16 family. Mac and iPad revenues also showed growth, with Mac revenue up 7% and iPad revenue up 15%. Wearables, Home, and Accessories revenue declined by 5% year over year, while Services revenue grew by 12% [1].

However, challenges remain, including a potential $900 million cost impact from tariffs in the June quarter and ongoing legal challenges such as the Epic case and Google antitrust trial. Additionally, China revenue decreased by 2% year over year, although it was roughly flat when adjusted for foreign exchange headwinds [1].

In contrast, the retail automation market is experiencing significant growth, projected to reach USD 36 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 9.5%. This growth is driven by technological advancements, demand for efficiency, and changing consumer expectations [2]. The retail automation market is segmented into various categories, with Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, self-checkout systems, mobile payment solutions, and inventory and supply chain management (SCM) systems leading the market [2].

References:
[1] https://www.gurufocus.com/news/2925780/apple-aapl-achieves-record-iphone-sales-in-china-aapl-stock-news
[2] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/12/3098469/0/en/Retail-Automation-Market-to-surpass-USD-36-billion-by-2034-growing-at-a-9-5-CAGR-Exactitude-Consultancy.html