As a result of a partnership Dell and Dick Smith stores, New Zealand becomes the latest market where Dell would have a retailer to on-sell its Inspiron PC products. Today onwards, all the 70 Dick Smith New Zealand stores will sell Dell's select range of laptops and desktops.

In May, Dell had signed a similar deal with Dick Smith Australia, thereby making its products available for retail sale off the shelves of the 70 Australian Dick Smith stores.

Though Dell had thus far been practicing its trademark "direct" sales policy - selling its products straight to consumers over the internet and via call centers - and had shunned retail outlets; its recent shift in strategy apparently results from the intense competition it faces in the home PC market.

About Dell's new policy of developing "kiosk" sales, Evan Williams - Dell's General Manager for consumer sales and marketing, Australia and New Zealand - remarked: "That's a trend in the market. We're going to look at seeing if we can get that going in New Zealand as well."

Elaborating on the Dell products to be available in Dick Smith New Zealand stores, said initially the stores will stock Dell's "entry level" Inspiron range of laptops, desktops and monitors. Later, over a period of time, the range would be expanded to include some of Dell's more pricey computers, like its Studio range.