Dell is to sell its computers in Wal-Mart stores in a radical departure from its strategy of only selling directly to customers.

Its deal with the world's largest retailer comes as Dell battles to catch Hewlett-Packard, which has overtaken it as the biggest manufacturer of personal computers.

It follows Michael Dell’s decision in February to resume control as chief executive of the group he founded, replacing his protégé Kevin Rollins. The move came amid criticism that Dell had concentrated too much on its famously efficient supply chain at the expense of customer service and listening to what consumers want.

Other recent changes at Dell have seen the group set up a website where it has invited comments from potential customers.

Heeding that feedback, earlier this month the group also confirmed it is moving forward with plans to sell computers pre-installed with Linux, the "opensource" operating system that competes with Microsoft's dominant Windows.

The decision to return to Linux in response to consumer demand marks a u-turn for Dell, which first offered the opensource system in 1999 but withdrew it two years later, citing insufficient demand.

Dell will begin selling two of its Dimension desktop computers in about 3,000 Wal Mart stores in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico from June 10. Wal Mart did not say whether Asda, the British supermarket it owns, would follow suit, but Dell added that the arrangement “represents [Dell’s] first step” into retail.

“Customers want more and new ways to buy our products, and we plan on meeting their needs on a global level,” a Dell spokesman said.

Since its founding in the 1980s, Dell has relied on selling PCs and other products directly to consumers and business customers over the phone and Internet. It viewed direct sales as an important cost advantage over competitors who sold computers through retailers.

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