Two of the OEM’s ranges will be sold across southern Africa in Game stores.
Jacques van Wyk
IT Web reported on the agreement between Ricoh South Africa and discount retailer Game, which is “Africa’s third-largest distributor of consumer goods”, which will see two printer ranges sold at Game stores across nations in southern Africa.
The “exclusive distribution agreement” covers the SP100 laser monochrome range and the GelJet colour range, which are said by the OEM to offer “value laser printing for home users and small offices” and “the next level in printing technology for low volume users in homes and offices” respectively. Consumables will be made available through Game “to give consumers easy access”, but the distribution will not be offered to other retailers.
Jacques van Wyk, Executive General Manager of Indirect Operations at Ricoh South Africa, stated: “The agreement means these two ranges will be available at all Game stores countrywide, and also in neighbouring countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.
“The agreement gives consumers direct access to the Ricoh products, with a three-year carry-in warranty, which is among the best in the industry. It also cements our multi-pronged approach to the consumer market […] we expect availability through Game stores will create pull factor through consumer mind-share.”
He added: “The products are ideally suited to the consumers and we expect the colour gel solution to perform particularly well in small, home offices and homes generally. It is capable in that it can print water resistant, UV resistant colour on the right media and it is extremely energy efficient. It uses the equivalent power of only one 60W light bulb, while competitor products consume significantly more – upwards of seven times that amount.”