Discount computer store

Welcome to the premiere issue of Computer Product Retailing. CPR joins the family of DSN publications aimed at growing product niches in the mass market.

Why CPR?

Computer Product Retailing provides a vehicle for DSN's editors to focus on the growing computer retail market. Through CPR, DSN can provide more information for retailers and suppliers. Under the leadership of special projects editor Pete Hisey, CPR will help discount retail executives understand how to maximize growth in the computer product category.

Who are the mass market computer retailers?

Mass merchants and discount department stores like Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target, warehouse clubs like Sam's and Price/Costco, office supply superstores like Office Depot and Staples, CE chains like Circuit City and Best Buy, and computer superstores like CompUSA and Computer City.

How fast are computer product sales growing in the mass market?

According to Workgroup Technologies, the percentage of home office end users who purchased their computer products at discount retailers (including mass merchants, computer and office superstores and CE chains) grew from 30% in 1989 to 43% in 1992. Purchases at computer specialty stores declined from 60% to 46% during that same period. They predict that discount retailers' market share will climb to 53% by 1995.

Retailers like Best Buy (this issue's cover feature) have proven that a store can be volume- and price-oriented and still customer-friendly. This issue also focuses on the explosive entertainment software business, examining both CD-ROM and other formats to uncover profit opportunities for retailers.

We'd love your feedback on this new supplement. Please call me in New York (212-756-5107), or in Tampa, Pete Hisey (813-664-6749) and let us know what you think of CPR. Or drop us a line by fax, New York: 212-756-5125, or Tampa: 813-664-6884.