HOME HDS signs Mitsumi for African boost
Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) has struck a channel agreement with African distributor Mitsumi to boost its reach across the continent. The deal is set to strengthen HDS’ position in West and East Africa, through co-investment in technical support staff, sales and market activities. In addition, Mitsumi will recruit partners to work with the enterprise team to sell and support HDS solutions.
Read full story
Mitsumi Distribution wins DISTREE Diamond Award
Mitsumi picked up the DISTREE Diamond Award for distributors at last month’s DISTREE Africa channel event, which took place in Kenya. The recipients of DISTREE Diamond Awards were determined using on-site live voting feedback from retailers and e-tailers participating in the event. Mitsumi is one of the largest distributors in Africa with an annual turnover of US$390m.
Read full story
Phoenix adds Logitech rights in Africa
Phoenix Distribution has added Logitech’s peripherals offering to its product portfolio. Phoenix will distribute a wide range of Logitech products including mouse devices, keyboards, web cams, speakers and notebook accessories, across Africa. Simon Campbell-Young, CEO at Phoenix Distribution, said: "We are perfectly placed to grow Logitech’s presence on the continent, as we have several offices and warehouses strategically placed to serve all our African customers."
Read full story
Jumia partners with Posta Kenya
Online marketplace Jumia has partnered with Posta Kenya to allow its customers to pick up items they purchase on the website from post offices across the country. Parinaz Firozi managing director at Jumia Kenya, said: “We are delighted that our customers can now pick up items they order on Jumia from selected post offices across the country; this is a new direction in providing a stress-free, safe and convenient shopping experience.”
Read full story
DISTREE Africa 2015 unites regional channel community
The 2nd annual DISTREE Africa created new channel business opportunities for participating technology and consumer electronics (CE) brands. The event gathered more than 310 industry delegates. During the three-day event, hundreds of one-on-one meetings took place between delegates with many new distribution and retail deals agreed on site.
Read full story
African DISTREE Diamond Award winners announced
DISTREE Events launched a new series of exhibitor awards in 2015. The DISTREE Diamond Awards series continued in Nairobi on Thursday June 11th, forming part of the 2nd annual DISTREE Africa retail channel event. The recipients of DISTREE Diamond Awards were determined using on-site live voting feedback from retailers and e-tailers participating in the event. Brother and Huawei picked up two awards each with AMD, Ctroniq, Linksys, Logicom, Mitsumi, Panzerglass and Quantum winning one each.
Read full story
Quantum to sign Slot in Nigeria
Mobile device brand Quantum is poised to expand its distribution reach into Nigeria. After a successful meeting at DISTREE Africa, Quantum has struck a verbal agreement to appoint Slot as a distributor and retail partner in Nigeria. This week’s DISTREE Africa allows technology and consumer electronics (CE) brands to meet senior executives and top buyers from the continent’s most influential channel partners.
Read full story
PC World Kenya urges vendors to change approach
Bobby Gadhia, CEO at retailer PC World in Kenya, has urged technology vendors to change the way they approach African markets. Speaking during a panel discussion at DISTREE Africa, Gadhia said: “Most vendors are hungry for business in Africa, but the most important thing now is for them to shift from a product and price approach and to start building real channel relationships in the region. Copy and paste strategies that work elsewhere may not work here, so a great deal of localisation is needed.”
Read full story
Acer outlines African channel priorities
Leading vendors outlined their priorities for African channels during a panel discussion at this week’s DISTREE Africa event in Nairobi. Rajesh Mohan, Country Sales and Distribution Manager for West, East and Central Africa (WECA) at Acer, said: “We have several priorities in Africa including reducing the weeks of consumer inventory that are held in the channel, which will help our partners. We also want to put some real focus on developing Acer’s commercial channels in Africa.”
Read full story
Lenovo plans new structure for Southern Africa
Lenovo plans to change the way it manages markets in Southern Africa from next month. Responding to a question during a panel discussion at DISTREE Africa, David Caleb, senior manager West, East & Central Africa (WECA) at Lenovo Africa, commented: “From next month Southern Africa will be treated as a separate region on its own by Lenovo - separate from South Africa.”
Read full story
