Dell to Sell Computers and Other Products at Staples

Dell plans to sell computers and other electronics gear at 1,400 Staples stores, taking another step away from the direct-to-customer business model it pioneered.

Dell and Staples 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 on the Staples Web site.

Initial Dell computer models to be sold at Staples include Inspiron 1721 and 1521 notebooks, and Inspiron 530 desktops.

Dell, based in Round Rock, Tex., 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 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 to sell PCs in about 3,000 stores. Dell also has struck partnerships recently with Bic Camera in Japan, Carphone Warehouse in Britain, and Gome stores in China.

With the Staples deal, Dell products will be available in more than 10,000 stores, Dell said.

Staples, based in Framingham, Mass., already offers several other major computer brands, including Hewlett Packard, Acer and Toshiba.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/technology/23dell.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin