http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2008/04/21/daily28.html Is Dell planning to acquire RadioShack? Austin Business Journal Company officials aren't talking, but rumors are rampant that Dell Inc. plans to acquire Fort Worth-based RadioShack, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. On Monday and Tuesday, an unusually high number of RadioShack (NYSE: RSH) stock options were traded, which could be the result of "unsubstantiated rumors" that the Austin computer giant is planning to purchase the retail chain, the Star-Telegram reported Wednesday. The idea isn't as far-fetched as some analysts might think. In a May 2007 article, BusinessWeek suggested the acquisition of RadioShack's 4,000-plus stores would give Dell (Nasdaq: DELL) "a meaningful retail footprint" in which to sell its PCs. ...
it would be genius... they would get overnight retail presence - an attempt to fix their business model maybe? buy it on the cheap. comes with a database of compter heads?? just a thought..
I love the idea of Dell buying Radio Shack just to get their hands on Radio Shack's list of battery buyers. Classic!
I honestly don't understand why Dell go retail. Isn't Gateway a good example? Stay online/telephone and keep the cost low.
I read a very convincing article linking Dell's declines to straying from their just-in-time inventory direct buying model.