Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Graham and Doddsville -- Value Investing In The New Era -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: porcupine --''''> who wrote (298)	5/7/1998 12:22:00 AM
From: porcupine --''''>	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1722

IBM Outsells Packard Bell NEC (04/28/98; 3:28 p.m. ET) By Roger C. Lanctot, Computer Retail Week Retail-PC sales auditor Intelect ASW Marketing Services reported Tuesday that IBM captured the third-largest share of retail PC sales in March, with a 222 percent increase in unit sales compared with March 1997. That sales gain helped propel the company ahead of Packard Bell NEC, formerly the retail-market leader, which fell into fourth place as a result of a 46 percent decline in retail unit volume compared with last year. Overall, unit PC sales at retail, including computer superstores, increased 33 percent in March compared with March 1997, and added 4 percent compared with February 1998, Intelect ASW reported. The auditor's data is based on and projected from audited sales from chains and computer dealers representing 4,900 locations. Packard Bell said it was hoping to get a boost this spring from sales of new low-end and midrange PC systems introduced in March. While Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM waited to refresh their low-end retail offerings, Packard Bell sought to gain ground in the run-up to the launch of Microsoft's Windows 98 operating system upgrade, which is set for June 25. But retailers contacted by CRWi said the new systems have not stimulated Packard Bell's sales, despite heavy advertising and promotion. "It just didn't happen," said one merchandising manager, who asked not to be named. The Intelect ASW findings corroborated PC Data's results, released last week, which also ranked IBM in third place and Packard Bell in fourth. The company's strong Advanced Micro Devices K6-based E Series PC sales spurred IBM's advance to third place. Market leader Compaq has also benefited from strong sales of non-Intel PCs. Houston-based Compaq nearly doubled its sales rate in March 1998, with a 94 percent increase over March of last year. Palo Alto, Calif.-based Hewlett-Packard achieved the biggest gain. The company's March sales increased 374 percent compared with March 1997. Toshiba America, based in New York, was down 26 percent in fifth place. San Jose, Calif.-based Acer added 73 percent to finish sixth. Apple, in Cupertino, Calif., experienced a 3 percent decline in seventh place.