But CompUSA's approach is distinctive in other ways. It is also keeping the two IT departments and infrastructures separate. The strategy is somewhat risky, analysts said.
Most retailers view the Web as just another integrated sales channel.
And experts predict that many pure e-retailers will be forced to build warehousing and distribution systems as well as physical stores. If people are virtual, they want to stay virtual. But I have yet to see any company that has successfully run both Internet and conventional businesses with the same group of people. CompUSA recently shut down many of the businesses formerly under the CompUSA Direct banner and moved the rest to the retailer's Dallas headquarters. The system used to handle 10 times the business that is being generated today by Web sales, so it can support a growing e-commerce effort, said technology VP Dean.