INDEPENDENT NEWS

Retail Leaders Join Forces In PC Market

Published: Mon 20 Nov 2000 10:45 AM
New Zealand retailing icon, Farmers Deka Limited, has joined forces with the country’s largest computer manufacturer.
The deal, which will see Farmers stores around the country stocking high quality realistically priced The PC Company brand computers, represents a watershed in the computer industry.
The PC Company marketing manager Kerry Mancer said his company is now second only to Hewlett Packard in the Small Office and Home Office (SOHO) market, and fifth largest supplier in the total New Zealand PC market.
“Our partnership with Farmers will eventually give consumers access to our computers in more than 40 outlets nationwide, including our own11 stores. As a result, we would expect to see sales increase dramatically,” Mr Mancer said.
Mr Mancer said never before have New Zealand consumers been able to go into a leading New Zealand retailer and buy the leading New Zealand brand of PC.
“The PC Company is very proud to be able to offer state-of-the-art technology, high specifications, additional software and add-ons such as printers and scanners, at an extremely competitive price.
“We have proved we can more than match the multi-national suppliers on quality and price and now consumers will be able to directly compare our product with other multi-national brands,” Mr Mancer said.
“The Government can hold economic summits to boost the New Zealand economy but here is a New Zealand company winning where it counts in the marketplace on quality and price.
“We employ New Zealanders and pay tax in New Zealand. This is an excellent example of two leading New Zealand retailers pooling their resources and the New Zealand consumer coming out the winner, “ Mr Mancer said.
Mr Mancer said after looking at a number of other potential retail partners, The PC Company chose to do business with Farmers because of the company’s nationwide presence and commitment to opening new stores and developing its existing store network.
In Auckland, Farmers has just opened a 35,000 sq. ft new family store in the Westfield Shoppingtown at Glenfield and a new 80,000 sq. ft flagship store at Botany Town Centre. And, in Wellington their Lambton Quay store has also recently been fully refurbished.
This month, Farmers is expanding and refurbishing its retail floor in Tauranga and opening a new 45,000 sq. ft family store as part of the Westfield Shoppingtown in Henderson.
Early in 2001, Farmers will be refurbishing its existing Lynnmall, Auckland store and opening a new 65,000 sq. ft store in Invercargill.
Farmers has also entered into a significant strategic alliance with Westfield New Zealand Limited to develop further full line family stores nationwide.
Mr Mancer said service was a key reason behind The PC Company’s success and those who bought the company’s computers through Farmers would gain access to The PC Company’s network from Whangarei to Dunedin.
They would also have access to Farmers credit arrangements.
The PC Company will be manufacturing three exclusive models for Farmers to be marketed under the “Explorer”, “Discovery” and “Endeavour” brands.
Farmers Chief Executive Officer, Nick Lowe said the company had decided to stock The PC Company brand computers because of their reputation for excellence, quality and value for money.
Retailing is a dynamic business and we are continually looking to stock new merchandise which will meet the changing needs of our broad customer base. The PC Company has shown that it can bring quality PC’s to market at a particularly competitive price,” Mr Lowe said.
Microsoft New Zealand’s OEM Manager, Brett Roberts recently confirmed that the PC Company is its largest local OEM customer.
“The PC Company has grown to become the largest new Zealand-based PC manufacturer and are currently the second largest supplier of PC’s in the home market. They are well positioned in the market where they compete against international OEM’s such as Compaq and Hewlett Packard”, Mr Roberts said.
For Further Information Contact:
Kerry Mancer
Marketing Manager
The PC Company
Phone; 09 3734186/ 025 819612
Email: kerry.ak@thepccompany.co.nz
www.thepccompany.co.nz
Or:
Peter Verschaffelt
Piogeonhouse Public Relations and Communications
Phone: 021 1168868 / 09 3582116 / 09 4731117
Email: peterv@pigeonhouse.co.nz

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