SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY
Sales Deal Struck: Toshiba America’s Computer Systems Division in Irvine said it signed an agreement to sell its notebook computers in 116 Staples office stores across the country.
The Staples deal is the latest retailer pact that Toshiba has signed to sell its notebook computers, which fit inside a briefcase. Besides Staples, Toshiba has signed Valcom computer stores, Computer City SuperCenters and Sears Roebuck & Co.
The retailers should help Toshiba reach more consumers and small businesses in addition to its large corporate customers, said Tom Scott, vice president of sales for the Toshiba division.
According to market researcher Techtel Corp. in Emeryville, Toshiba America commanded 23% of the demand for notebook computers in the third quarter of 1991.
That level matches a 23% share of the market for Compaq Computer Corp., 19% for other manufacturers, 17% for AST Research Inc., 7% each for Texas Instruments Inc. and Dell Computer Corp., and 4% for Hewlett-Packard Co.
