News
Staples To Sell Dell PCs
Dell Inc. plans to sell computers and other electronics gear at 1,400 Staples
Inc. stores, the latest departure from the direct-to-customer business model
pioneered by the No. 2 computer maker.
Dell and the world's biggest office products supplier announced Monday that
Staples would offer Dell desktop and notebook computers, monitors, printers,
ink and toner starting Nov. 11. Dell products also will be available through
Staples' Web site.
Initial Dell computer models to be sold at Staples include Inspiron 1721 and
1521 notebooks, and Inspiron 530 desktops.
Round Rock-based Dell was founded in the 1980s on a lower-cost, direct-to-consumer
business model that made the company the global leader in PC sales. But Hewlett-Packard
Co. overtook the top spot last year, and Dell started considering new ways to
sell its products beyond the Internet and telephone sales.
In May, Dell struck a deal with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer,
to sell PCs in about 3,000 stores. Dell also has struck partnerships recently
with Bic Camera Inc. in Japan, Carphone Warehouse PLC in Britain, and Gome stores
in China.
With the Staples deal, Dell products will be available in more than 10,000
stores, Dell said.
Framingham, Mass.-based Staples already offers several other major computer
brands, including HP, Acer and Toshiba Corp.