Gateway Country Stores

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For the database of individual Gateway Country locations, see the data table for Infobox Gateway Country.

Gateway Country Stores was an American chain of computer showrooms created by computer manufacturer Gateway, Inc. This is a link to a Wikipedia article Drawing on the company's cow motif in its packaging, marketing, and logo, the stores were themed after a farm landscape. The first two Gateway Country locations opened in November 1996:[1] Gateway Country #1101 in Orange, Connecticut (near New Haven) and Gateway Country #1102 in Matthews, North Carolina (near Charlotte).[2] For the most part, the stores were intended to demonstrate the company's customizable direct-to-consumer products, which customers would then order delivered to their homes. However, beginning in December 2000, a small selection of popular models were available to purchase in stores.[3]

At the chain's peak in early 2001, there were over 300 stores across the United States. Gateway Country is said to have inspired the launch of the Apple Store that same year.[4] 30 stores were closed early in 2001, with a further 80 being shuttered in 2003. The remaining 188 stores closed on April 9, 2004.[5]

Store history[edit | edit source]

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Total store locations, 1996-2004
Date Store count Source
October 31, 1996 0 [1]
December 31, 1996 2 [1]
September 30, 1997 15 [6]
December 31, 1997 37 [6]
December 31, 1998 144 [7]
March 15, 1999 153 [7]
December 31, 1999 234 [8]
March 1, 2000 242 [8]
December 31, 2000 327 [9]
December 31, 2001 296 [9]
January 31, 2002 277 [10]
December 31, 2002 272 [10]
April 15, 2003 192 [10]
December 31, 2003 190 [11]
April 1, 2004 188 [5]
April 9, 2004 0 [5]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Gateway 2000, Inc. 1996 Annual Report", sec.gov.
  2. ↑ "Transitions", Sioux City Journal, December 1, 1996, page E3.
  3. ↑ "Gateway shifts retail strategy", CNET, March 15, 2002.
  4. ↑ "Gateway Country Stores Silence Critics, Intrigue Others", TheStreet, June 22, 1999.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 [https://www.computerworld.com/article/2563535/update--gateway-to-close-all-retail-stores-april-9.html
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Gateway 2000, Inc. 1997 Annual Report", sec.gov.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Gateway, Inc. 1998 Annual Report", sec.gov.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Gateway, Inc. 1999 Annual Report", sec.gov.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Gateway 2000, Inc. 2001 Annual Report", sec.gov.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Gateway 2000, Inc. 2002 Annual Report", sec.gov.
  11. ↑ "Gateway 2000, Inc. 2003 Annual Report", sec.gov.
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