Wal-Mart will open
10 Computer Doctor centers in test stores around the country. The
centers will repair and upgrade computers, install software and perform
other services now dominated by electronics and computer stores such as
Radio Shack, Circuit City and CompUSA.
Wal-Mart has not been a major force in computer retailing, with computer departments in ly 1,400 of its 3,000 stores. But the Bentonville, Ark., retailing giant has set out to change that, pairing up with a small South Dakota company, Computer Doctor Franchise Systems, to run the computer centers in its test stores. If the test is successful, Wal-Mart is expected to quickly roll out the concept to many of its other stores.
Wal-Mart would be among the few general retailers to plunge so deeply into the computer world. Most of its competitors have remained on the sidelines. K-mart, for example, does not even sell computers at most of its stores.
Wal-Mart is also reported to planning an expanded and upgraded Web site in time for the holiday shopping season. Though the company has remained mum, reports suggest the site will be among the most elaborate and tightly intregrated of any major retailer.
