PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
In an interview with the New York Times, Michael Dell has re-affirmed his company’s commitment to expand its channel operations following his statement that the existing retail relationships had "gone well."
He was in San Francisco to discuss Dell’s new storage products aimed at small and medium-sized businesses but took time to speak about its PC business, which in recent times has recently struggled.
"We’re going to expand to a number of places," he told the New York Times. "I would expect over the next quarters you’ll see several additional key retailers [that will stock Dell products]." He also said that the retailers that they had dealt with especially liked the idea that his company could deliver small lots of PCs to thousands of outlets across the country without increasing their distribution worries.
He also hinted that as the company moved further into the channel, there is "a possibility" that it may begin to offer the option to begin selling custom configured models through its retail partners.
The performance of the company’s existing channel relationships, in particular those with Walmart, Carphone Warehouse and Bic Camera was also mentioned with Dell’s vice president of marketing, Mark Jarvis speaking about it. "A number of [Walmart] stores sold out rapidly," before adding that the amounts the company had shipped to stores were not large. He did however state that "a full rollout" is coming, but did not give any indication of when it may begin.
