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We don't make these things up. That's almost exactly what it says in this ZDNet article, specifically "Gateway Puts Stock in Country Stores." Our use of the verb "sell" may be a bit over the top, optimism-wise, but you will at least be glad to hear that Gateway's model for the revolutionary concept of selling actual products from retail outlets is none other than Apple Computer, Inc.

Here's the proof:

"Following the lead of Apple Computer--which sells its computers and other devices in retail stores--Gateway plans to offer software, printers and digital cameras, camcorders and music players through its 272 Country stores. Although the Poway, Calif.-based company already sells a limited-number of PCs from its retail stores, those sites had been more showcases for products than places to buy them."

One of the new items to be sold from Gateway's Country Stores is a 42-inch plasma TV. Hmm. At any rate, the most entertaining part of Joel Wilcox's article are the Gateway-bashing TalkBack comments:

"Wow. Stocking PCs at their stores for people to buy. What a concept, and it only took someone with a six figure salary to figue it out."

"This means it will cost even more to either sell them off or write the expense off when they go out of business."

There's only one other at the moment, but we'd have to say this announcement isn't bringing out the cheering throngs. And Gateway stock, currently trading at $2.80/share (no, we did not leave out a digit), is down 26 cents so far today.

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