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andy Opens Clicks-And-Mortar Operation In Australia SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 2000 NOV 12 (NB) -- By David Frith, Computer Daily News. Tandy Australia has been revealed as first client for Smartbuy.com.au, a new e-commerce operation which is offering e-tail services to traditional retailers. Tandy Australia is a subsidiary of US-based InterTAN Inc. SmartBuy has been founded by Tony Gattari, former computer marketing chief at Australia`s biggest superstore chain, Harvey Norman. Gattari is looking for more clients, even as he finalizes plans to have a Tandy "clicks-and-mortar" Web operation up and running in time for the Christmas rush. Only stipulation: new clients must not be in a competitive situation with Tandy. Under terms of the agreement, SmartBuy will operate the tandy.com.au "Web superstore." Tandy has licensed the "tandy.com.au" name to SmartBuy for three years. According to Gattari, the online operation will complement 220 Tandy stores throughout Australia, eventually offering more than 30,000 products, including many new to Tandy. Much of the operation will be outsourced. Australia Post`s "Post Logistics" subsidiary will handle warehousing and fulfillment; Unique World will undertake Web development; CustomerCare will manage a call center, sales hotline and help desk; and Davnet will provide Web hosting. SmartBuy`s 12-person operation, based at St Leonards, Sydney, will manage content, maintenance, administration and online marketing. SmartBuy, founded by Gattari but backed largely by South African money, was originally planned as an online direct sales operation for the ill-fated Sydney-based Dataflow distribution house. However that idea foundered along with the April 2000 dotcom shakeout and the eventual demise of Dataflow. Dataflow backers Allco Finance, Brait Capital and Colonial First State Equity (formerly Hambro-Graham) are major shareholders in SmartBuy. Gattari said the Tandy plan is not just aimed at direct online purchases. The Web site will also offer customers the alternative of visiting a store to complete the transaction without having to give credit card details over the Web. There are also plans for in-store kiosks, where shoppers can view the complete catalog. "Most Tandy stores tend to rather small. SmartBuy is all about exploding their product range and driving new customers into the stores," said Gattari. The expanded range of software, console games, computer accessories and home entertainment products would include brands such as Microsoft, Sony, Panasonic, Kodak, Compaq, Adobe, Logitech, Symantec, Electronic Arts, Eidos and Hasbro. It`s 15 months since Gattari left Harvey Norman, and the proud new operator was celebrating in customary fashion Friday. "Mate, we`re sharing a few champagnes here," he said when Computer Daily News rang SmartBuy on Sunday. |
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| Autor (Datum des Eintrages): | J3142 (13.11.00 08:03:10) |
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