Dell to sell through The Good Guys

Angus Kidman
Friday, 05 December 2008 03:35

Your IT - Home IT

Dell is continuing its push into the Australian retail market, announcing a deal with The Good Guys to sell its consumer range of PCs and notebooks through the 87-store chain.
Under the deal, The Good Guys will sell a selection of Dell's consumer products (the exact line-up is still being finalised), and allow customers to order specific customised models online within the store.

Dell's consumer division sales and marketing manager Evan Williams said that research had shown not all consumers wanted to purchase goods online. "Our customers like notebook and mobile devices and they like to be able to come into a store and have a look at them before they purchase."

Good Guys Technzone general manager Peter Sinodinos said the chain was keen to expand its range of technology products in response to customer demand. "Having Dell onboard strengthens the leading brands we have on board," he said. "It helps us extend our technology offer out to our consumers."

Pricing for the machines will be set by the Good Guys, though Sinodinos declined to elaborate on whether the company's "less for cash" approach would be applied in the PC sector.

Despite economic worries, Williams said that Dell's consumer sales had been healthy in recent months. "In Christmas and the peak buying season of January, we're expecting to see that momentum continue," he said.

The deal is Dell's second local retail partnership, following a tie-up with Officeworks in May this year. "We're very excited to have another partner here in Australia that's going to allow us to get our expanded portfolio in front of consumers," Williams said. There are no immediate plans for more partners, he said: "We're very happy and we're very focused on the arrangements that we have."

Dell is also continuing to operate 18 ordering kiosks in shopping centres, although it has largely ditched that model in other markets.