Esquire wins DISTREE Channel Initiative Award in Monte Carlo

Esquire Technologies, one of the leading distributors of computer hardware, peripherals and lifestyle products, was awarded the DISTREE Channel Initiative Award for its Xpress Warehouse concept in Monte Carlo in January 2006.

DISTREE is the main business forum for the technology distribution channel in the MEA region. The Channel Initiative Awards recognise the value of innovation and creativity in channel programmes for resellers in a competitive market.

According to Farouk Hemraj of DISTREE, Esquire received the award for the Xpress Warehouse concept as it has not only proved to be successful and applicable, but has led to good execution with tangible results.

The organisers of the forum as well as the editors from the distribution channel magazines formed the panel of judges. The competition was held prior to the DISTREE event in January this year, which afforded all the participating distributors an opportunity to submit an entry.

Mahomed Cassim, Marketing Director of Esquire Technologies, comments: "Our Xpress Warehouse has received widespread interest from not only our customers, but from other distributors and resellers in South Africa and abroad. We have received numerous visitors who have studied our model and are planning to replicate it in South Africa and overseas."

Esquire was the first computer distributor in southern Africa to open a retail type store, called Xpress Warehouse, aimed exclusively at resellers during March last year.

"The warehouse retail concept expedites the sales' cycle and introduces a more exciting purchasing experience. Customers enter the Xpress Warehouse, select a product off the shelf and pay for it at the counter. Trained sales representatives on the floor and a help booth are on hand to advise and assist. From a payment point of view, on-floor Internet kiosks enable customers to make direct transfers," says Cassim.

"The response from our customers and suppliers has been amazing. Instead of traditionally queuing and never seeing the variety of stock except on a Web site or brochure, customers can browse around and physically view stock and compare."

For more information, contact Mahomed Cassim at Esquire at mahomed@esquire.co.za or +27 11 657 1111 or Farouk Hemraj at DISTREE at fhemraj@distree.com.