Comet and BT pilot IT retail chain

Comet and BT are jointly piloting a new retail store to advise and provide small businesses with IT and communications products.

The store, branded IT Works, marks the closest cooperation between the electrical retailer and the telecoms giant.

The first store, in Reading, will provide a range of PC and office equipment. In the mobile sector, BT-owned Cellnet will be offered alongside rival networks but, initially, only BT will be available as a fixed line network connection.

IT Works aims to provide small businesses with advice on how to build IT and communications services. Employees will conduct audits of existing systems in small firms, then demonstrate systems in action at the store. The chain will also help with installation, project management and support of systems.

“We didn’t want to create another me-too PC World,” says Neil Sansom, new retail development controller at Comet. “Comet has the retail experience, BT the technological capability.”