Dell Plans to Sell PCs at Wal-Mart

DJAdapt writes "In a departure from Dell's approach of selling machines only directly to customers, a Dell spokesman said Thursday that the computer maker will begin selling two of its Dimension desktop computers in about 3,000 Wal-Marts beginning June 10. Dell spokesman Dwayne Cox said the Wal-Mart deal 'represents our first step' into global retail. 'Customers want more and new ways to buy our products, and we plan on meeting their needs on a global level,' Cox said. 'Offering Dell Dimensions in Wal-Mart is a great example of this approach.'"

Will they offer Ubuntu machines at Walmart ?

[the_rajah]

I suspect the answer will be no, but a geek can always hope.

But will they run Linux?

[solevita]

Wow, a genuine reason to ask the question, you don't get one of those everyday!

About time.

[kabocox]

About time! Dell loses out on those that purchase those instore HP/Compaq machines. It shouldn't take much for Dell to actually compete in that market space, which would be good all round. Web sites + Shipping is good for some people, but for the crowd that travels to Walmart twice a week; it's just easier to buy something from a store that you are always in. Plus think of the builtin marketing of just having the machines in the stores.

Super Walmart Today

[WED Fan]

Went to a Super Walmart today. Loved it. It reminded me of Itoyokado in Japan.

Their PC section is o.k., I'd like to see them expand it and actually compete with Best Buy for the market share of "department store" PC retailers.

So, while there I bought:

• A ladder
• Blank DVD-R spindle
• A new garden hose
• Sausages for the BBQ tonight
• The latest Linkin Park
• Socks
• Toothpaste
• and eyeglasses

Next, I'll be able to replace my aging desktop. Coolness, where else but in America and in a Walmart?

Bye dell

[YrWrstNtmr]

There goes the last shred of any goodness Dell had left.

1. They will have to compete (on price) with the Walmart eMachines
2. Corporate sales will suffer. "We use the same equipment you can get at Walmart!"
3. The clueless will badmouth Dell & walmart for selling them a broken PC. We all know it was THEM that couldn't use it, but that's what the perception will be.

Maybe they can make it work. I don't see it as an up for them, though.

Re:Increase sales volume, destroy the brand

[y86]

Walmart is trying to bring their image up from where it now sits. They are adding wood flooring to stores in my area (fake wood..) and are trying to compete with the higher end competitor, Target. This is a good move for Walmart to try to bring their own brand up...probably not a good move for Dell. Dell would do less damage to it's brand if it chose Target in my eyes. We also need to remember that the Dell brand has lost it's quality in the eyes of those who have used the brand for 10 years. Older Dell computers where never made like the 500$ crap wagons of today... Dell was know for quality and those chose to computer on price which brought down the brand name and the quality.

Better idea than what Gateway tried.

[Shivetya]

I mean, who could have thought that having retail stores without immediate delivery was a good idea?

I disagree with what will happen to the perception of Dell's brand, they are big enough to withstand any ills that people might associate with Wal-Mart. Hell I am many others shop at Wal-Mart simply because of price. If low price is the story their selling its not something to be ashamed of. Plus Dell could be looking long term, get them into a lower end system through Wal-Mart and upsell them at a later date.

If Apple can go into Best Buy and survive the perception that many people of Best Buy sure Dell can handle anything from being associated with Wal-Mart

NASCAR + Linux + Dell + Wal-Mart

[dorath]

So there is going to be a NASCAR sporting Linux [slashdot.org], Dell is shipping Linux [slashdot.org], and Wal-Mart is selling Dells [this.article].

There are NASCAR fans who base their purchasing decisions soley on what logos are sported by their favorite NASCAR driver. If they see that penguin on the car, then see that penguin on a Dell at Wal-Mart, they'll take that penguin over the Dell with Windows.

Good? Bad? I dunno.

Re:Sold at Wal-Mart != low quality

[lhbtubajon]

PUT BACK EVERYTHING they took away.

This is a great idea, except that Dell no longer competes in the market they used to when all this stuff was great. That was an era when a PC was still a specialty item and commanded high margins. Now, if we have to pay more than $400 for one, we get pissy and want to look at Acer, or whatever other crap brand wants to sell us some parts in a box. Dell can't afford to build quality any more, because not enough people are willing to pay for it.

The PC industry (excluding Apple) has largely become a low-margin, high-volume commodity affair where low cost is king.

Re:Sold at Wal-Mart != low quality

[Red Flayer]

The difference being that the Walmart version is always inferior at some level.

This is because Walmart demands a lower price every year. Sometimes this can be met via economies of scale, but not after a few years. See Snapper mowers [fastcompany.com] for an example of a business owner who said no.