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19 Sep 2005
As predicted by CRN last month, Gateway, which abandoned the UK market in September 2001 because of financial difficulties, has now announced that its own branded kit and its eMachines PCs will be sold through retail stores Comet, Staples, PC World and Currys.
Edd Fisher, senior vice-president of Gateway, told CRN: “We have a retail distribution agreement with these stores because our initial focus will be in the retail market.
“However, we will look to consummate more reseller agreements in the future because this is our main strategy for the UK. This will include less retail-focused distributors and resellers.
“Under Gateway [brands] there are desktops, laptops and TFTs. Partners can add value to differentiate themselves.”
Fisher added that the company had “no plans” to open any Gateway branded retail stores.
Ian Snadden, director of channel and SME sales at Fujitsu Siemens Computers, said: “Gateway has had time to go away and lick its wounds. It clearly doesn’t see itself as a retailer now, but as more of a system assembler, but the market is crowded and very competitive.
“Businesses are not confident when buying consumer brands and this could make it difficult for any potential Gateway distributors and resellers.”
Richard White, director of public sector services at Centerprise International, and a former Gateway employee involved with its 2001 withdrawal, was unsure of its future.
“The channel may view this announcement with scepticism. Gateway will have to invest in its partners to show that it is in the UK for the long-haul,” he said.
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