Dell adds JB Hi-Fi to retail arsenal

Inspiron laptops, desktops and netbooks to be sold

By Reseller News Staff, Auckland | Thursday, 21 January 2010
Dell has expanded its retail presence to include ANZ retailer JB Hi-Fi, which is now offering the vendor’s Inspiron PC products.

Dick Smith was signed as the vendor's first local retail partner in August last year.

According to a report by The Australian, JB Hi-Fi began selling Dell desktops, laptops and netbooks last December in Australia. Local stores will start selling Dell products from February.

According to the report, JB Hi-Fi chief executive Richard Uechtritz said the deal covered 124 of its stores in Australia and New Zealand.

Dell ANZ retail and telco sales director Matthew Telfer says JB Hi-Fi was selected as a good cultural and branding fit for the company.

"They are one of the leading IT retailers within Australia so it was a natural synergy to move into JB Hi-Fi New Zealand. In terms of our retail channel strategy we've been pretty selective about the retailers we partner with. We don't have a desire to go through all retailers."

Telfer adds that Dell "wouldn't rule out" adding another local retailer in the future as the vendor determines how it brings to market the higher priced Adamo and Alienware range. A timeline for this has not been set.