Back in 2002 Dell opened kiosk locations in shopping malls across the US in order to give service to customers who preferred this method of shopping instead of buying directly from the company’s website or by phone. However, the kiosks were less-than-ideal shopping experiences as customers weren’t able to carry home a new PC and instead had to place an order for a future delivery.

Given that Dell products are now offered throughout retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the company today announced it will close its 140 kiosks in order to focus on its direct sales and retail channel efforts.

Dell said the move fits in with how the company's global retail strategy is evolving. And indeed the company’s efforts to carve out a space of its own in retail seem to be paying off, as it recently recaptured the number one sales spot from HP in the US. In terms of worldwide sales, however, HP is still king of the market share hill.