CA set for retail market onslaught
Software giant targets UK success with it boxed consumer security offerings
Software giant CA has unleashed its first dedicated attack on the UK retail market and is hoping to mirror its success in the US with its boxed consumer security offerings.
The vendor has signed an exclusive 12-month partnership with specialist retail distributor Gem Distribution. It will help CA recruit a network of retailers in the UK and grab market share from rivals such as Symantec and McAfee.
CA’s four flagship security consumer products are due to hit retail shelves on 15 May.
George Kafkarkou, senior vice-president for home and small office at CA, said: “We started our retail push in the US in 2004. We were told we had no chance, but we have seen our business grow by triple digits year on year. Our Internet Security Suite is already second behind Symantec in the US. Now we are looking to do the same in the UK. This is a pivotal stage in our evolution.”
He added that Gem was CA’s top choice to help it crack the retail market and that the strategy is separate to its existing channel business.
“Gem’s sole purpose is to cater to and understand the UK retail market,” he said. “This was a major factor in our partnership decision. We are going to listen and come up with a joint programme for the retail space. We need to make the UK a beachhead to go into other European markets.”
Simon Lee, commercial and marketing director at Gem, said: “Retailers can choose to fill gaps in their existing portfolio or stock the full CA range. We believe it is a great opportunity for the whole retail market.”
Ross Miller, managing director of CA VAR Trustmarque, said the move will have little impact on CA’s business channel.
“I think CA is doing this to compete with the likes of Symantec and McAfee in the consumer space. It really should have been looking at the retail market a long time ago.”