Hewlett-Packard beats Dell in weekend sales at Best Buy

Brian White — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: Products and Services, Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Best Buy (BBY), Black Friday

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) came in second to global PC sales leader Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) during the Black Friday shopping frenzy and the ensuing weekend, according to analyst firm Thomas Weisel Partners. The report, however, analyzed sales only at a single retailer, Best Buy Co. (NYSE: BBY).

Thomas Weisel analyst Doug Reid indicated that holiday PC buyers were preferring Hewlett-Packard's PC five to one over Dell's PCs at the largest consumer electronics retailer in the U.S. While Reid's survey only looked at 35 stores, that's enough to generate a statistically legitmate finding. Reid went on to say that "Dell has significant work to do . . . the only negative comments in our survey with respect to brand were aimed at Dell, with survey respondents noting potential quality issues.''

Is Dell's retail strategy working as well as founder Michael Dell had hoped when he aggressively launched his retail strategy in the summer of 2007? Doubtful, and competitor HP has not stood still since that moment, and has actually increased its market share in retail with stylish designs, many configurations and aggressive pricing that keeps a large thumb on Dell's retail efforts. From looking at some of the top retailers this past three-day shopping holiday, HP's laptop offerings were certainly more numerous than Dell's. If that presence translates to more shelf space, then there you go.

Hewlett-Packard beats Dell in weekend sales at Best Buy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell shuffles executive ranks amid forgetful year

Brian White — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors, Consumer Experience, Competitive Strategy, Dell (DELL)

Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) -- formerly the world's largest computer manufacturer -- has announced that it will be shuffling its executive ranks as the company desperately tries to forget 2006 and move ahead to getting back to its most comfortable spot -- as the largest and fastest-growing computer (and other product) manufacturer. Other products, you say? Let me explain.

While Dell is busy implementing a new operating structure very soon, the company needs to really determine where it stands outside the computer arena. Although Dell practically created the "build to order" system that has now been copied almost perfectly in the computer manufacturing industry, other manufacturers have been able to catch up to Dell in order to duplicate the efficiency and cost savings that Dell has by only making computers when customers order them. Part of the resurgence HP has seen recently is due to this, along with some other competitors as well. In other words, the cat is out of the bag and Dell can no longer rely on that technique -- which has been its hallmark for nearly two decades -- any longer.

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Dell shuffles executive ranks amid forgetful year originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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