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Owners To Reboot CompUSA Stores

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By RICHARD MULLINS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 12, 2008

TAMPA - Three closed down CompUSA retail computer stores in the Tampa Bay area will reopen amid a reorganization by a new corporate owner, Systemax Inc.

The three stores are at 23656 U.S. 19 N., in the Sunset Point 19 Shopping Center in Clearwater; 701 North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa; and 11211 Causeway Blvd. in Brandon. The stores are among 16 to re-open under a purchase by Systemax Inc. A fourth store, at 3617 W. Hillsborough Ave., was not on the list to re-open.

The refurbished stores are being converted to new CompUSA retail outlets, along with 13 other stores reopening in other areas of Florida, in Texas and in Puerto Rico. A representative from the company said there are no major changes planned in retailing strategy, but rather a broad refreshening and more investment in merchandising and inventory.
Systemax expects to finalize ownership of the stores by the end of February. Following remodeling, staff hiring and training, and replenishment of inventory, the outlets will reopen within a short time following their acquisition.

Although previously popular, CompUSA likely suffered from complacency and lost its lead because it failed to recognize more dynamic technologies such as video gaming, analysts said.

"These three stores were among the best in the former CompUSA network and demonstrated excellent potential for growth," said Gilbert Fiorentino, chief executive officer of TigerDirect, a Systemax subsidiary under which CompUSA stores operate.
Systemax is hiring store managers and associates and purchasing inventory for re-openings.

Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919 or rmullins@tampatrib.com.

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