Apple Computer announced today that it will begin focusing its nationwide retail efforts on CompUSA - and CompUSA alone. Apple will focus its sales efforts on that chain's "store within a store" environment.

　　The company will be phasing out its products, not just at Best Buy, but also at Circuit City, Computer City, Office Max, and Sears.

　　In a statement released by Apple, the company's senior vice president of the Americas, Mitch Mandich, said, "These have been very important business relationships, but we believe it's an important time to move away from them. This does not represent a retreat from retail, but instead a redefinition of what the retail buying experience will be for our customers."

　　Apple will continue to sell through regional retail chains, specialized Apple dealers, computer dealers, value-added resellers, and catalogs, as well as CompUSA.

　　CompUSA's "store within a store" format features two or more store personnel designated as "Apple professionals" who work with customers. The area within the store promotes Apple's lineup of products - Power Macintosh 6500s, G3s and 8600 models, selected PowerBook and eMate computers, as well as printers, software, and peripheral devices. Apple says this "store within a store" format has pushed Apple's sales.

　　Retailers have reported that Apple has begun requiring more support - both advertising and floor space - from its retail accounts. Those accounts that are unable or unwilling to meet those requirements, which presumably includes Best Buy, Circuit City, Computer City et al., are being dropped by Apple or are dropping the company's products themselves.