Phoenix Software has moved into the video gaming accessory market with the exclusive distribution of UK-based Exspect range of products. The initial range will include accessories to complement Nintendo's Wii, DS lite and DSi, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 games consoles and Apple iPods and iPhones.
“With the explosive growth of video gaming and music in South Africa, the extension of our business into Accessories is the culmination of a strategic long-term plan,” said Simon Campbell-Young, CEO of Phoenix Software South Africa.
“Exspect is an exciting, dynamic company. They won Awards at Retail Vision 2007 and 2008, being named 'Best Accessory Company' and 'Best Retail Strategy' respectively, as chosen by senior management within the retail sector. By simple virtue of the fact that their customers had nominated them meant that they clearly understood buyers' requirements and clearly understood what it takes to ensure consumers choose their products when walking into stores. With a well-established track record in the UK, where they are number one in volume brand sales for iPod accessories, and have a 58.8% market share of the Wii combo pack sales as reported by ChartTrack, we believe they have an excellent product offering that will do exceptionally well in SA.
“Exspect products now sell in 11 European territories, and as part of our international expansion plan, we have carefully selected Phoenix Software as our exclusive distributor in SA,” adds Neil Meredith, Commercial Director of Exspect.
“Phoenix Software has shown in their existing republishing and distribution business that they have excellent understanding of retail distribution and solid, established relationships. Together, we will work with them to develop end-to-end retail management strategies, ensuring good stock movement through our retail outlets.”
A key differentiator for Exspect is their involvement in consumer focus groups to ensure products are well researched, well executed and well priced, all presented in outstanding packaging.
“Products are designed in the UK and manufactured in Asia, with a very short lead time to market, ensuring the latest products have additional accessories launched within a number of days following announcement.”
Phoenix Software plans to have Exspect products on the shelves in early March, with outlets within the JD Group.
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Phoenix Software
Phoenix Software is a software republishing business. Founded in September 1999, PS supplies a wide range of software products to distribution and retail partners. The company focuses on niche software that is aimed at vertical markets and has an ongoing mission to bring leading-edge products to the marketplace in a timely and professional manner, while offering excellent price/performance ratios. The company's product range includes titles from leading vendors such as Ability Office, Aspyr Media, BluBox, BulkSMS, Cosmi Corporation, Cyber Acoustics, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Exspect, Feral Interactive, Idigicon, Individual Software, InterVideo, Iolo, ISL Light, Kaspersky, Lavasoft Ad-Aware, Macware, Nero, Nova, O & O Software, Onspeed, Paragon Software, Parallels, PC Tools, Pinnacle Systems, Prosoft, Punch Software, Reallusion, Roxio, S-A-D GmbH, Smith Micro, Sony Creative Software, SummitSoft, Transparent Language, Webroot, WinZip, X-oom For additional information, please visit http://www.phoenixsoftware.co.za.
Exspect
Exspect is a UK-based brand, building an excellent reputation and portfolio of unique, well designed and well positioned technology accessories. Exspect offers a full range of iPod, iPhone, video game, laptop and digital camera accessories, while adding an element of fashion and individuality to each and every model we bring to market. Building strong bonds and firm friendships with our partners in the Far East, who diligently transform an idea into reality, is something that the team at Exspect has worked hard to achieve. Our 'can do' attitude and flexible approach have earned us back-to-back awards at the prestigious trade event 'Retail Vision' in 2007 and 2008. Exspect is a subsidiary of GEM Distribution Ltd. http://www.exspect.co.uk
Gem
Gem provide our partners with end-to-end integrated supply chain solutions and added value distribution to the retail channel for software, peripheral and connected home technologies. In our third decade, Gem's history of success includes exclusive UK distribution of Xbox, Xbox 360, Take Two, NCsoft games and the Bullguard security range, as well as being a leading UK distributor for vendors such as Logitech, Microsoft and Symantec, producing an annual turnover in excess of lb200 million. Gem supplies to an extensive customer base, including well-known high street and Internet retailers, corporate resellers, mail order companies and independent retailers. We have also recently extended our category reach into the audiovisual, book and toy markets. Our multi-faceted business extends outside of sales and distribution providing one integrated solution through our Gem Logistics and Gem Creative divisions. For further information on Gem's services, visit: http://www.gem.co.uk.
Gem is a wholly owned subsidiary of DCC, for further information please visit http://www.dcc.ie.
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