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Dell shuts down U.S. kiosks

By Dan Zehr | Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 12:48 PM

Dell Inc. will close all its kiosks in the U.S. as it shifts its retail focus to its growing partnerships with Best Buy, Wal-Mart and other store chains.

The computer maker first started opening kiosks throughout the U.S. in 2002 to give customers a chance to see and feel its products. The small shops, set up in malls, airports and other high-traffic areas, did not sell any PCs on site. Rather, customers could place orders online and have the products delivered to their homes or offices.

The kiosks became redundant this year as Dell entered partnerships with major retail chains with stores scattered across the U.S. It signed on first with Wal-Mart, added Staples a few months later and most recently announced it would sell some of its top-end consumer PCs in Best Buy stores.

Dell, long known for selling primarily online or over the phone, has looked to wrap new sales channels around the direct model as its revenue growth has slowed and its profits have slipped. The company also has set up Partner Direct, a program for technology re-sellers who buy computers, add their own bells and whistles, then sell them to end users.

Dell said the decision would not impact its kiosks in other countries.

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By Patrick

January 30, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

This move was necessary. The Kiosk model would have flourished if printer cartridges and other Dell consumables were located there for purchase. Let’s hope Dell makes the connection in this new model.

By keith

January 30, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

Printer cartridges will need to be any part of the Dell model…..what started as an idea to be the exclusive provider of ink for its printers, you can’t expect to be able to seamlessly do that. Epson, HP, and the other printer makers all sell their ink in stores and online. I’ve never once had a problem with buying ink for my Epson online from them, but I like it just the same if I can go down the street and get it if I need it right then and there….it should be something that is right next to the HP and Epson ink in Best Buy…

By Tim S.

January 31, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

I purchased a PC from the Kiosk in Barton Crk. Mall a year ago. The only good thing I can say about the experience was the help of one of the employee’s named Berlin. The PC was a piece of junk. I got no where with Dell’s Cust. Serv. or Tech. Support. With Berlin’s help I finally received another PC, which is junk also. He tried very hard to help. I just hope that Dell doesn’t “dump” these employee’s. I think any company in town would be glad to have an emp. like Berlin.