Since it’s founding in the 1980s, Dell has relied on selling PCs 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 computers through retailers.

The strategy worked, helping Dell become the world’s leading PC maker. But recently, the round rock-based company has lost it’s lead to a revitalized Hewlett-Packard Co.

So, now Dell has planned to sell it’s PCs at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer as to compete with it’s competitors, ruling out its own policy of selling machines only directly to customers.

They are going to showcase their two Dimension desktop computers in about 3,000 Wal-Marts beginning June 10 in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Dell spokesman Dwayne Cox said the Wal-Mart deal “represents our first step” into global retail.
“Customers want more and new ways to buy our products, and we plan on meeting their needs on a global level,” Cox said. “Offering Dell Dimensions in Wal-Mart is a great example of this approach.”

He said Dell will announce additional moves into retail in the coming quarters, but he declined to give specifics.