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ComputerLand
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ComputerLand was a widespread chain of retail computer stores during the early years of the personal computer "revolution", and was one of the outlets chosen to introduce the IBM PC in 1981. The first ComputerLand opened in 1976, and the chain eventually included about 800 stores by 1985. After this time the rapid commoditization of the PC led to the company's downfall, with most of the retail locations closing by 1990.
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ComputerLand was a widespread chain of retail computer stores during the early years of the personal computer "revolution", and was one of the outlets chosen to introduce the IBM PC in 1981. The first ComputerLand opened in 1976, and the chain eventually included about 800 stores by 1985. After this time the rapid commoditization of the PC led to the company's downfall, with most of the retail locations closing by 1990. The company officially ended in February 1999.
Indeed Computerland was perhaps the most important leader of this retail 'revolution'. Its founder was William H Millard. In 1974 he launched a company, IMS Associates, Inc., to build what was claimed to be the first truly integrated personal computers, sold as kits to hobbyists and the rapidly growing numbers of retailers (through small ads in 'Popular Electronics'). The computer, the IMSAI 8080, may not have made Millard's fortune, but his resulting experiences with the inexperienced and under-capitalized retailers did. In 1976 (at the same time as the Byte Shop was selling its first few Apples) he asked his Sales Director, Ed Faber (an ex-IBM Manager), to start a new franchise operation, soon to become Computerland. Faber first designed a pilot store, at Hayward, California, with the then revolutionary concept of providing a 'full service' store offering under one roof all that the customer needed to support their PC's. He then moved very rapidly to set up the franchises. The first franchisee was in Morristown, New Jersey, and was rapidly followed by a chain across the US. It set a pattern that dominated PC retailing for the next decade. By the time IBM arrived on the scene the network of branches, all run by franchisees, had grown to 190 in number. By the end of 1985, when Millard retired, there were some 800 branches (including some 200 outside the US) and he had become another of the computer billionaires. Most of Computerland later succumbed to the predations of the 'box-shifters' in the price wars of the later 1980s after the peak has passed.http://futureobservatory.dyndns.org/9056.htm
Vanstar was the name selected for ComputerLand corporate sales (Pleasanton, California) in 1994 after the sale of split off franchisor to Merisel. Defunct February 1999 when due to financial reporting which caused a steep decline in share price, they were purchased by one of their competitors, Inacom. During the one year before Inacom filed for bankruptcy, parts of the old Vanstar distribution/configuration/call center operations were sold to Compaq Computer. Inacom ceased operations completely in 2000.
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