Dell's
Selling Dell desktops through roughly 3,500 Wal-Mart
Times change. So will Dell.
The move won't solve all of Dell's recent problems. Despite the colorful Dell televised campaigns over the years, this is still a company that relies on corporate orders. Consumer-based moves into things like MP3 players and consumer electronics haven't exactly panned out in the past.
The consumer-friendly move of placing some of its systems in local outlets to provide instant gratification won't cure its operating hiccups. However, it's a move that signals that Dell isn't too proud to learn from its peers.
Dell sees the kissy-poo faces that the market is making for retail-widening rivals like HP and Apple
Reuters is reporting that the Dell bundles -- they'll retain the Dell brand, so don't expect Sam's Choice Dimension Desktops -- will sell for less than $700. Dell has to be careful that it doesn't position itself as too much of a value-minded brand. Gateway learned that the hard way with eMachines. However, when you're stocked between competitors in the wide-open discounted shelves of Wal-Mart, you often don't have much of a choice.
Can the Dell Dude earn his keep as a Wal-Mart greeter? It's a big headline, but will likely be a very small story.
Wal-Mart and Dell have made the cut as Inside Value stock picks. Dell is also a Stock Advisor recommendation. Kick the tires of either newsletter service with a free 30-day trial subscription offer.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz had a Dell once, but he's been smitten by HP products ever since. He is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early. He does not own shares in any of the companies in this story. The Fool has a disclosure policy.