Dell is continuing its distribution makeover with a partnership to sell PCs via Best Buy and a shake-up of its channel programme.

The Best Buy deal will put Dell desktops and notebooks on the sales floor of 900 stores throughout the US.

Featured models will include the multi-coloured XPS notebook series. Dell hopes that customers' being able to see the notebooks first hand will boost retail and online sales.

Dell lost its lead in the PC market to HP in early 2007, and was forced to admit that its direct sales model via the web was no longer sufficient.

The company has spent much of 2007 building a retail channel by striking deals with Wal-Mart, Carphone Warehouse and now Best Buy.

Dell has also announced changes to its partner programme, launching a portal which will provide access to new marketing and certification initiatives.

Distributors earning the certification will be offered better financing options and will be given access to Dell's own demo units.

Dell estimates that it has 30,000 partners worldwide accounting for more than $9bn in annual revenues.