HP's break-up with Rectron is not indicative of a major shift in its channel strategy.
This is according to Mark Perry, Solutions Partner Organisation country manager for HP, allaying channel fears this morning in the wake of its break-up with consumer electronics distributor Rectron.
"We have no major plans to contract or to expand the channel," says Perry. "There will be no fundamental changes in our programme."
Perry says the company's channel strategy is simple: to meet internationally-set growth targets. While he would not be drawn on exactly what these targets are, he did divulge some details around individual sectors.
According to Perry, HP's corporate business is set to align with the growth of the country as a whole, which he pegs at between 4% and 5%. However, he says overall growth targets are "a lot higher" than this, carried to a large extent by an emphasis on the consumer market and on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
HP recently launched its Print Station store concept in SA, which forms part of its Print 2.0 strategy. The stores aim to bring printing directly to individual consumers, as well as SMEs, through HP-branded shops that are either standalone, or within other stores.
However, Perry says the focus on the direct consumer market will not detract from the channel.
"About 90% of our revenue is from the channel," he says. "We will keep evaluating it, but for now it is business as usual."
Perry would not say whether HP is looking for one big distributor to take over its Rectron business, or whether a number of smaller distributors stand to benefit from the split. He indicated that HP is in talks with "various companies", after which it would announce its new partner - or partners.
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