Ricoh SA, Game Sign Exclusive Distribution Agreement

According to a statement in ITWeb, Ricoh SA has concluded an exclusive distribution agreement for two printer ranges to be sold through discount retailer Game, a subsidiary of JSE-listed Massmart Holdings, Africa’s third-largest distributor of consumer goods.

As per the agreement, Game will sell Ricoh’s SP100 laser monochrome printers and GelJet color printers in its stores throughout South Africa and neighboring countries, including Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland. Game is the sole retailer being offered such a distribution agreement. Ricoh will help Game stores promote the printers by advertising in the retailer’s broadsheet publications.

Jacques van Wyk, Executive GM of indirect operations at Ricoh SA said, “The agreement gives consumers direct access to the Ricoh products, with a three-year carry-in warranty, which is among the best in the industry.”

He added, “This deal complements our agreement with Rectron because they push the product through their dealers, while we expect availability through Game stores will create a pull factor through consumer mind-share,” says Van Wyk. “The products are ideally suited to the consumer and we expect the color gel solution to perform particularly well in small, home offices and homes generally. It is capable in that it can print water-resistant, UV-resistant color on the right media and it is extremely energy efficient. It uses the equivalent power of only one 60 watt light bulb, while competitive products consume significantly more—upwards of 7 times that amount.”