Associated Press - May 24, 2007 12:23 PM ET
DALLAS (AP) - Dell plans to sell computers at Wal-Mart.
The news marks a departure from Dell's tradition of direct sales.
A Dell spokesman says the computer maker will begin selling 2 of its Dimension desktop models in about 3,000 Wal-Mart stores beginning June tenth.
He describes it as a "first step" into global retail. He says additional moves regarding retailing will be announced in coming quarters.
Since being founded in the '80s, Dell has relied on selling P-Cs and other products directly to consumers and business customers over the phone and Internet. It viewed direct sales as an important cost advantage over competitors who sold through retailers.
More recently, the Texas-based company has been losing sales to revitalized rival Hewlett-Packard.
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