HP launches Asia Pacific retail push

Stephen Withers
Friday, 19 September 2008 10:07

IT Industry - Strategy

Another example will surface in early 2009 when a special edition notebook PC will go on sale at select Vivienne Tam stores in the Asia Pacific region.

Finished in a red peony design matching a fabric used by Tam, the small and light notebook that will fit into a handbag is designed to appeal to a female audience. Technical specifications are not being revealed until closer to the release date.

Such "alternate experience centres" are answers to the questions "how to become pervasive, how to become immersive?" said See Chin Teik, HP's senior vice president, personal systems group, Asia Pacific and Japan.

"Consumer needs are changing," said HP's Morgan. The company is responding by sub-segmenting markets, responding to lifestyle needs, and addressing additional niche markets, he said. Morgan also noted that small and medium businesses are increasingly looking to retail channels when buying IT products.

To help with this renewed attack on the retail market, HP is extending its Total Care support service to the consumer space. Total Care will help with installation and setup (including the use of remote diagnostics), provide a track and trace service for lost notebooks, and on request suggest replacements for old equipment.

See would not be drawn on the question of how much HP is investing in its retail push, saying only that "substantial dollars" are involved. He did reveal that the division of costs between HP and its retail partners will vary between countries.

The writer travelled to Hong Kong as the guest of HP.