On Thursday, computer Dell finally announced a specific date on which it would start selling PCs in Wal-Mart stores.  Two different Dell Dimension desktops will officially be for sale starting June 10 in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.  Other models will be sold at Wal-Marts in Canada and also at Sam’s Club.  

While prices for the computer business’ store products have not yet been disclosed, the word is the PCs will be less than $700.  Wal-Mart will only be a tiny part of Dell’s reseller plan.  Computer business Dell plans to sell 30,000 – 50,000 PCs there as a start.  Overall, Dell sold 9 million PCs in the first three months of 2007 via catalogue and the Internet.  

The new plan for computer business Dell to sell computers at retail stores is a major change in its business model.  The direct sales model previously used kept costs low and held up a close relationship with customers.  Because of a rapidly changing market, Dell has been forced to alter its sales model to keep pace.  

Computer business Dell’s direct sales model worked well in the 1990s when PCs were mainly purchased by businesses.  However, business buying of PCs declined after the dot-com crash of 2001, which actually led to increased consumer buying.  In 2005, laptop sales trumped PC sales in the consumer market.  

The computer business’ latest Wal-Mart deal is going to put Dell more deeply into the retail market.  But the company is moving cautiously to avoid over-exposure in the beginning.  The retail strategy for the computer business is still evolving, and Dell will most likely expand its electronics offerings in the future and develop new partnerships with other media companies.  

Added By:  Computer Consulting Kit