Despite Apple’s invasion of retail stores across the world, not everyone lives a comfortable driving distance from one of their holy shrines -- which is why it’s good to hear that the iPad 2 will also be available from Best Buy and Walmart when it launches at 5pm on Friday, March 11.

9to5Mac is reporting that Best Buy and Walmart (including Sam’s Club warehouses) will be ready and waiting for your hard-earned dollars come next Friday, March 11 at 5pm. Best Buy announced the availability Wednesday night via Twitter, with a link to a page on their website touting the news.

If your shopping proclivities lean toward the mecca known as Walmart, you’ll be amply covered on that front as well. “We’ve just gotten word that Sam’s Club and by extension Walmart will have them at launch too,” 9to5Mac reported in an update Wednesday night. “The SKU’s just entered the system, according to a tipster.”

While there’s been no announcement from 3G carriers AT&T or Verizon, we’d have to assume that both telcos will also have stock in at least their company-owned stores come next Friday. All of this news bodes well for getting your hands on one at launch day, given that Apple has oddly chosen to forego website preorders this time around. Maybe they want us to get out and enjoy some sunshine now that this long, brutal winter is finally showing signs of ebbing into spring at last?

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