Auckland-based Micro Dealer, a distributor of computer software and peripherals, will close its doors after moves by one of its major agencies, Dataflow, to set up an operation in New Zealand.
In a letter sent to customers last week, Micro Dealer managing director Craig Robertson said, “A recent decision by Dataflow to undertake distribution in New Zealand on its own account has unfortunately precipitated these changes and Micro Dealer’s directors have resolved to terminate our entire business operations in October 1996.”
Dataflow, an Australian distributor of home educational software, has set up an office in Auckland and will begin trading on October 1. Dataflow’s products include Broderbund (the publisher of the popular Grandma and Me titles); Blizzard, Davidson, Edmark and Expert software.
Karen Fisher, from Dataflow’s Sydney office, will head the local operation initially but she says a general manager for New Zealand will be sought next year.
Micro Dealer’s other products will be taken over by BMG NZ. It will distribute Europress, Global Software Publishing, CII Products and Quick Shot joysticks, mouses and speakers, Krypton chess computers, Re-markable disk label systems, Gremlin Software and Worldwide computer magazines.
They will also sub-distribute the TVNZ New Zealand Encyclopedia and IDG Dummies books.
Robertson says Micro Dealer will not go into liquidation.
Wellington-based computer retailer Computer X’press has closed also. This follows closures the previous week of Creative Computing, trading as Software Warehouse Pakuranga, and Mainly Software NZ, trading as Software Warehouse Manukau City.