PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
The first panel session at the PCR Retail Boot Camp will look at how dealers can cope with the increased competition for PC and IT products at retail.
With non-specialists in particular selling on price, this debate will suggest areas where indies can shine.
Entitled ‘Why you should leave PC hardware sales to Tesco and PC World’, topics will include:-
– How to make money from games, without selling them
– Customer service – the big differentiator
– The in-store experience
The panel will be chaired by industry veteran and CompTIA’s vendor and distribution engagement manager Adam Harris. Panel members will include Carl West (GfK), Donna Demain (Retail Profiling), Alicia Shepherd (VIP Computers) and Craig Hume (Utopia Computers).
"Many retailers have expressed their concern that they simply can’t compete where ‘pushing tin’ is concerned," explained PCR editor Helen French. "Laptops are being sold as loss-leader products by the supermarkets and the large out-of-town box-shifters are able to sell high value PC and IT products sometimes at lower prices than small indies can buy them for.
"But there are many, many areas where smaller dealers can beat the big boys. And this panel session will aim to explore those opportunities."
PCR Retail Boot Camp is an exciting new conference and expo for the UK PC and IT channel, taking place on Wednesday May 2nd at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London. It is free for retailers to attend and will provide a day of conference sessions, expo showcases and networking – all designed to help dealers improve their business. In addition, all dealers who attend the event will go home with a VIP Gift Bag, including an Apple TV, worth £99.
In addition, there will be a series of ‘Break-Out Sessions’ during the afternoon, giving distributors and vendors the opportunity to present technical or service sessions with smaller groups of dealers.
Meanwhile, an after-show party, sponsored by VIP, will provide networking opportunities to round off the day’s events.
Supporting the PCR Retail Boot Camp are Micro-P (Connected Home Partner), GData, VIP Computers, Arctic, Westcoast and EntaTech (Platinum Partners), plus AVG, Computers Unlimited, Koch Media, Autotask, Samsung, TP Link, Wasp, Synaxon and Realtime Distribution (Gold Partners).
Dealers can register their interest in attending the event by emailing pcrbootcamp@intentmedia.co.uk.
A dedicated website, at www.pcrbootcamp.com, has just been launched, providing up-to-date information about the event. Retailers can register their interest in attending the event via the website, while suppliers can also find out more about getting involved in the conference and expo.
And don’t forget to follow our Twitter feed @PCRBootcamp.
A limited number of additional Event Partner Packages are available. Contact pcr-online-staff@transfer.pcr-online.biz or pcr-online-staff@transfer.pcr-online.biz to find out more.
