In a bid to boost sales of its virtual reality platform, HTC has teamed up with UK distributor Westcoast Retail. Adding HTC to its roster of leading global brands, Westcoast takes on the responsibility of distributing HTC’s Vive VR platform exclusively across the UK and Europe.

With deals already in place with some of the world’s most top technology firms – Apple, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft and Samsung, to name a few – HTC operations director Louis Lin said that Westcoast’s track record was integral to the deal. “Entering the VR market is an important strategic step for us so we needed a partner with the reputation and team that can deliver a robust approach to the supply chain. Westcoast Retail is a true specialist in the field with the ability to help us fulfil the varying needs of HTC Vive customers and retailers throughout Europe.”

Westcoast managing director, Carl Oxley, said he is excited about entering the VR sector. “We are delighted to have been selected by HTC to distribute its incredible Vive Virtual Reality platform throughout Europe,” he said. “VR is a hot sector with the potential to invigorate the wider technology market, and we’re well placed to provide an effective and efficient distribution network for HTC to deliver against that promise. Our services can be applied to almost any vertical and we are excited to be part of the rapidly developing gaming and virtual reality spheres.”

On the market for over a year now, Vive senior manager of product management Graham Breen told PCR that after a soft launch, sales are starting to pick up. “There’s been uplift in general demand and also uplift in where people can buy it from as well,” he said. “Initially we started selling on our own website, but now it’s available across a range of retail stores, whether that’s Currys PC World or Game. It’s also available at online retailers – Overclockers UK and Scan for example. That’s all a response to increased demand we’ve had from the market – it’s been a really exciting 12 months since we first went live with pre-orders last year.”