Tiny wins Powerhouse concessions

Time moves out; claims long-term strategy fulfilled

The battle for high-street supremacy has taken another turn as the UK's two main PC manufacturers, Time and Tiny, continue to fight for market share.

Tiny is claiming victory after doubling the number of its outlets by securing 140 concessions in the Powerhouse chain and adding what it claims will be £100m to its annual turnover.

Time, which used to have some concessions in Powerhouse stores, has said it is moving out as part of a reorganisation to focus on "high-footfall locations".

But Andrew Walwyn, Tiny's managing director, said Powerhouse had given Time its notice because of the new agreement.

"When I heard Powerhouse was acquiring Scottish Power and was set to be a national player, I thought it would be a good route to market. It made sense and solved our problem of not having enough out-of-town stores," he said.

The move will increase Tiny's annual turnover by 30 per cent, create 450 jobs and double its number of stores, Walwyn said.

"This will also mean that more business users will visit Tiny, because they tend to visit the out-of-town retail parks more than the high-street stores," he added.

But a Time representative said the firm was reorganising its business, and had long ago made the decision to leave the Powerhouse concessions.

Time is changing its retail format from showroom to stocked shops, selling more third-party products alongside its own-branded kit, as well as refocusing business on key high-street stores, he said.

The company plans to introduce technical support and repair areas in each store to provide upgrade and servicing facilities on-site, the representative explained.

"The moving out of Powerhouse concessions is part of our internal strategy, and it really has nothing to do with the Tiny deal," he said.