One of the much-touted reforms of Dell's brave new world has gone largely unnoticed by its biggest rival.

Michael Dell hoped to make more cash for the company by moving away from its trademark direct sales model and start flogging things through its retailer channel instead. Many felt that Dell might clean up, but according to its rival HP it has not made a difference to its bottom line at all.

HP CEO Mark Hurd said his outfit hasn't experienced any disruption in sales from the increased retail presence of Dell. Speaking to CRN, Hurd said that the retail channel was just very competitive and HP's share and sales had increased. So far Dell has not said how successful its selling of hardware had been in shops. But analysts have said that things might have been worse had Dell had just stuck to the direct sales model.

Currently the retail market in western countries is in a slump and Dell has been making a lot more cash selling its gear to developing nations. X

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