Potential Impact of Economic Factors on Apple

 The rapid growth of developing countries could lead to new emerging markets for Apple Products.
(opportunity)
 Stable economies of some developed countries could lead to strengthening the existing markets
of Apple. (opportunity)
 However, stagnating middle-class incomes in some developed countries, including the United
States, could shrink the potential market for higher-end consumer goods such as those marketed
by Apple. (threat)
 Increasing labor costs in China could take away the cost advantage of some Apple products.
(threat)
 A strong US dollar could lead to increases in exchange rates thus making it more expensive for
Apple to do business in key markets like Europe and China. (threat)

Potential Impact of Environmental Factors on Apple

 The popularity of business sustainability trend with the masses. Apple is eliminating harmful
toxins, including brominated flame retardants (BFRs), lead, PVCs and mercury, from their
products. This could make Apple more attractive to the masses. (opportunity)
 The developing product energy efficiency trend with Apple powering all Apple facilities worldwide
with 100 percent renewable energy. This could lead to lowering of product cost in the long run.
(opportunity)
 The emerging labor rights trend. With Apple being the first technology company to join the Fair
Labor Association could make Apple more appealing to its consumers. (opportunity)
 The disposal of used or nonworking electronic devices is the biggest environmental issue Apple
could be facing. The expense of disposing of devices, particularly those containing lithium
batteries, could be high. Apple could be forced to assume that expense because of concerns about
such devices in landfills. (threat)
 The growing concern of pollution and other environmental side effects from manufacturing in
China. This could lead to increased regulation and higher manufacturing costs at some point in
the future. (threat)
 The continuing effort of China to cut greenhouse gases and limit fossil fuel use could increase
electricity rates and manufacturing costs for Apple in that country. (threat)
 The climate changes created by global warming could disrupt transoceanic shipping and Apple’s
supply chain. (threat)
 The concern about energy use and other side effects from data centers could lead to increased
regulation and costs. (threat)
 The dependence of Apple on data centers and other Internet infrastructure could make Apple
highly vulnerable to increases in electricity costs. (threat)