Slow Sales Lead PC Giant to Shutter Mall Kiosks in the U.S.
Dell is closing up shop at its more than 140 mall kiosks around the country, citing slow sales and a desire to move more aggressively into the bringing the PC into retail locations as it has done throughout 2007 with Wal-Mart and Best-Buy. An undisclosed number of kiosks outside the United States will remain open, and the company still sells all of its desktop and notebook lines direct-to-consumers online.
The mall kiosk program officially began in 2002 with a very small number of locations where shoppers could essentially access the Dell.com Web site and customize a new PC for shipment to their door.
“Moving into retail is a prime example of Dell listening to its customers,” said Tony Weiss, Vice President of Dell's Global Consumer Business, in a statement announcing the decision. “Ever since we began our journey into retail, we wanted to give customers the opportunity to call, click or visit Dell and have access to our award-winning products. This move fits in with how our broad global retail strategy is evolving.”
Dell says that more than 10,000 stores worldwide offer consumers access to Dell computers, including high profile retail partnerships with Best Buy and Wal-Mart, as well as major retailers in China, Japan and in Europe.
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