PC World

PC World is one of Britain's largest chains of mass-market computer superstores. It is part of DSG International plc ("Dixons Stores Group").

History

In November 1991, Vision Technology Group Ltd opened the first PC World store in Croydon. When Dixons Group plc (now DSG International) purchased the chain in 1993, there were four PC World stores in existence. There followed a period of expansion as more stores were opened across the country. This expansion was partly driven by a series of acquisitions beginning with DN Computer Services plc in 1996, followed by Byte Computer Superstores Ltd in 1998 and, more recently, Micro Warehouse in June 2004.

PC World Business was launched in September 1997 in the UK. Since March 2001, PC World Business has been based in Bury, Greater Manchester and has its own management team.

Today

The stores offer ranges of consumer-oriented PCs, laptops and peripherals, including DSG stores' own-brand Advent and PC Line. Stores also have a "PC Clinic", which offers advice and services. Some stores also have a "Component Centre" area, which contains more basic PC components such as motherboards, hard drives and cases. Most UK stores have a branch of "The Tech Guys", and also offer consultation to business customers.

In September 2006, PC World UK assumed management control of its French subsidiary. PC World in the UK was also due to undergo a style change at the beginning of 2008, including a new logo, staff uniforms and store layouts as part of its image re-branding programme. The changes have been trialled at the Brentford, Colchester, Portsmouth and the brand new Bournemouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Enfield, Burnley and relocated North Shields branches. However current advertisements suggest that the proposed logo had been dropped and replaced with another new logo.

In late 2006, PC World launched "The Connected Home", selling PC based home entertainment systems and installation services.

During Easter 2007, PC World launched a magazine advertising many of its services and products. It is called "Magazine" and published by futureplus. The magazine is free to collect from any PC World store, and comes out every quarter.

On 13 December 2007 it was announced that PC World will be selling Dell PCs in their stores. This one of many moves Dell are making to sell their Desktops and Laptops to a wider market. This also includes Dell selling their XPS systems in many HMV stores across the UK.