After nearly 20 years of selling PCs via a Dell-style direct business model, system builder Mesh Computers has signed an agreement with Comet that will see its bespoke PCs sold in the electrical retailer’s stores, as well as on its web site.
Tony Riccardi, general manager for Mesh, told CRN: “I approached Comet. We’d been in talks with Tesco, Toys R Us and Argos, but in the end Tesco ended up going for Acer and Argos were aimed more at the low-end of the market.
“Our products are aimed at the high-end, so the deal with Comet is perfect for us. For the first time in a large-scale retail environment, customers will be able to compare our specifications next to those of Sony and HP [Hewlett-Packard].”
Riccardi said the deal will open up Mesh to different customer groups. “Comet is selling our Elite Extreme range of PCs. It piloted them in the summer, as it wasn’t really sure if they would sell, because they are aimed at the higher end of the market.
“Comet is initially stocking them in 15 stores and will then roll them out across the rest of the group. It is marketing them at the gaming market,” said Riccardi.
Keith Warburton, chief executive of the PC Association, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that one of our members has won such a prestigious contract, endorsing UK manufacturers’ ability to stand in comparison with the best that the world can offer. This would seem to be a superb move for Mesh and I wouldn’t expect their traditional direct business to be negatively impacted.”
Riccardi added that he would be open to signing a similar deal with another retailer in the future.
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