Buy local, says Burnley IT retailer (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Buy local, says Burnley IT retailer

2:23pm Monday 7th January 2013 in News

THE boss of an East Lancashire IT retailer is urging customers to ‘buy local’ after a new survey showed independents offer better value than the major high-street chains.

P3 Computers, in Burnley, took part in the inaugural national Retail Price Comparison, conducted by Yorkshire-based IT distributor Target Components. The survey compared the pricing from over 100 independent IT retailers nationwide with major chains, such as PC World, Comet, Staples, and Asda.

The survey showed how – for IT and office products at least – local independents were 14 per cent cheaper than their closest competitor PC World, and between 6per cent and 20 per cent cheaper than other major chains. And as well as being cheaper overall, independents’ pricing was lower on more product lines than each of their major chain rivals.

Paul Cumpstey, managing director and founder of P3 Computers, said the findings were a ‘timely shot in the arm’ for local retailers such as P3.

Mr Cumpstey said: “Independents know they win hands down on things like expertise, customer care and impact on the local community, but the public often thinks local retailers are more expensive.

“This survey shows that just isn’t true.”

Full details of the national Retail Price Comparison can be found at www.targetcomponents.co.uk