HP has announced the stoppage and cancellation of its EMEA Print Station initiative, implemented three years ago, OPI have reported.
The Print Station operation aimed to establish a network of small business co-branded copy and print locations predominantly in North Africa, the Middle East, Central Europe, Spain and the UK.
There are a total of 57 Print Stations, and this number is expected to raise slightly due to HP honouring existing commitments in Hungary and Romania.
HP’s Print Station Sales and Programme Manager Paolo Dal Santo commented: “The HP Print Station stores are well-received and profitable.
“However, to make the concept more relevant – around 300 – 400 stores – would have required massive investment on our part, and the company took the decision that this was not a primary strategic objective.”
All Print Stations are able to utilise HP co-branding until 31 October 2012, with the expectation that they will use this transitional period to switch to 100 percent partner branding.