Apple’s presence in retail stores like Target and Walmart will increase over the next two years, according to a recent report from Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. The store-within-a-store format has proven effective at Best Buy (though Best Buy itself is currently struggling), and pilot programs at Walmart and Target have been similarly effective.

According to AppleInsider, Munster visited one of the two Target stores that play host to Apple’s mini-stores, and found the experience favorable. He noted that the selection was significantly less than what might be seen at an actual Apple Store, and that the Target mini-store did not sell any Macs, but neither of these facts is surprising.

While around 40% of U.S. Best Buy stores have Apple’s standalone displays set up, only two Targets and one Walmart have the mini-stores. Given the success of the concept in Best Buy’s stores, and the generally greater popularity of both Walmart and Target, it’s a fair bet that the mini-store presence will prove successful, and that more and more Walmarts and Targets will be getting their own little Apple store.

[Image credit: ifoAppleStore]