Kaspersky Lab extends retail reach with South African distributor Phoenix Software

Kaspersky Lab, a leading provider of Internet threat management solutions, has appointed software republisher and distributor, Phoenix Software, as an official distributor for its full range of security software solutions to the retail sector in South Africa.

According to Garry Kondakov, Managing Director, Kaspersky Lab EEMEA, the agreement with Phoenix Software as retail partner complements its current local channel-focused distributors and will have a significant impact on Kaspersky's security software sales in stores nationwide to further entrench its market leadership in South Africa.

“Phoenix Software has a wide retail distribution channel and currently fills the leading position in the market. The company distributes major software titles that most end-users are familiar with, to large retailers such as Incredible Connection, Game and Dion, to name but a few.

“We've noted increased adoption of Kaspersky products among South African consumers, and by appointing Phoenix Software, we are able to sustain our high level of support to partners and customers, which they have become accustomed to,” he says.

Simon Campbell-Young, CEO of Phoenix Software in South Africa, says the appointment is significant for Phoenix, and he believes Kaspersky Lab's security products will shortly be the company's fastest selling title in its software solutions stack.

“From a retail perspective, we felt there was a gap in our security software portfolio. Kaspersky Lab is a brand that South Africans have known for years and uptake of late has been phenomenal. Kaspersky Lab solutions have been front-of-mind for most security conscious consumers in the United Kingdom and Europe for quite some time. We anticipate similar success in the local market,” says Campbell-Young.

Through Phoenix Software's agreement with Kaspersky, consumers can take advantage of its security products at competitive prices, while being assured of reliable support from local partners.

Says Kondakov: “We see big opportunities for Kaspersky in South Africa and would like to gain by investing more, strengthening our local presence and widening our Kaspersky Lab community.

“Additionally, Kaspersky considers South Africa to be the gateway to the entire sub-Saharan region so, by increasing activities in the country with appointments of this kind and the planned opening of a local office in Q4, the company intends on strengthening its position by providing solutions to the majority of the African continent,” he concludes.