Dell Computer Corp is optimistic that it will have sequential revenue growth in future quarters, chief financial officer Thomas Meredith told the assembly, but according to Dow Jones & Co, he offered no specifics in his presentation: he said the Austin, Texas personal computer manufacturer is in a good position to continue flexibility and growth because of its decision to leave the retail market, adding that the departure – in July – to focus on direct sales has made the company stronger – Dell no longer faces the inventory concerns of retail businesses, and direct sales enable it to incorporate new technologies quickly and to pass savings on to consumers; Meredith called the withdrawal an epiphany for the company, reinforcing the sense that it must concentrate on profitable areas – its retail sales had been unprofitable, he said; Meredith also said Dell’s XP Latitude line of notebook computers has been well-received by the industry and that Pentium products are performing well; the Asia-Pacific market is growing, especially Japan, which he called a hot market for the industry and for the company, while reports from Europe show that market becoming more robust as well.
