Dell to launch retail presence in China

Dell announced a deal yesterday to launch a retail presence in China by selling computers through the country's biggest chain of electronics stores as it struggles to capture a bigger share of the booming market.

The deal extends Dell's strategy of expanding beyond its traditional internet and phone-based sales model into retail to cope with competition from Hewlett-Packard and other rivals. Dell also has targeted China with a low-cost PC unveiled in March and aimed at rural customers.

Sales will start in 50 Gome Group stores next month and expand to more stores early next year, said Michael Tatelman, vice-president of marketing and sales for Dell's global consumer business.