As analysts increasingly point to a September release date, likely in the initial week, for the fifth-generation iPad, U.S. retailer Best Buy guns to secure big volumes of iPad 5 buys in the few months ahead.

The company, according to CNET, brings back its iPad trade-in promo, in which consumers would be able to surrender their old iPad 2s or iPad 3s in exchange for cash credits that can be used in the purchase of either the iPad 4 or iPad 5, both in 16GB configuration.

The swapping deal is governed by on-spot appraisal of the units, which means that iPads in perfect working condition without dents and scratches merit higher value gift cards. Those who really took care of their iOS tablet stand to redeem $200 credits or even higher, the same report said.

For instance, shoppers planning to snap up the iPad 5 on release date will surely get a significant cut from price marks. A 16GB model of the iOS 7 tablet will likely retail for $500 but lucky Best Buy customers will only pay $300 come the purchase time.

The promo, which is a redux of a two-day campaign launched earlier this month, commenced this week and will run until August 3.

Like the first trade-in offer, Best Buy's initiative is geared obviously for U.S.-based buyers of iPad yet the rest of the world can pick up significant hints from the movements coming from the American retail landscape.

Dangling sizable discounts on old gadget models, regardless of brand and make, strongly suggest that retailers and distributors are trying to clear inventories as much as they can to make way for the arrival of new models, analysts said. In this case, it is the iPad 5.

Long-reported as subjected by Apple to a major design overhaul, the 9.7-inch iOS 7 tablet is said to hit store shelves with a new look - slimmed down and light that assumes the hot-selling structure of the 7.9-inch iPad Mini.

According to Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities, Apple will release the iPad 5 in early September, alongside the price-sensitive iPhone Lite and ahead of the iPhone 5S and iPad Mini 2, both of which are dealing with production and component issues.