CompUSA is a retailer and reseller of consumer electronics, technology products and computer services. CompUSA serves consumer retail, small-to-medium businesses, corporate, government, and education customers. Founded in 1984 as Soft Warehouse in Addison, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas, by Errol Jacobson and Michael Henochowicz, the company began national expansion in 1985 with its first megastore opening in Atlanta, Georgia. Jacobson and Henochowicz led a team of young managers including Elizabeth Greenwood and Pat Wyckoff who were skilled in retail, distribution, logistics, service and merchandising. The team of four successfully launched megastores in Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, California, Denver, Colorado, Houston, Texas, and Miami, Florida.

In 1991, under the direction of Chief Executive Officer Nathan P. Morton, the company's name was changed to CompUSA, and the company became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. While under Morton's leadership, CompUSA grew to over $2 billion in revenues. Morton resigned in 1993 after a falling out with the board of directors.

Currently based in Miami, Florida, CompUSA currently operates 17 retail stores in Florida, Texas, Illinois, and Puerto Rico. Eleven former Tiger Direct locations and two locations under construction will be brought under the CompUSA banner in the summer of 2008 for a total of 30 stores.

Until its reorganization, CompUSA, Inc. was a wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Commercial Corp S.A.B. de C.V. and indirectly controlled by a common shareholder, Carlos Slim. On December 7, 2007, an affiliate of liquidation firm Gordon Brothers Group bought the company. Systemax purchased the CompUSA brand, 16 retail locations and other company assets were purchased in January, 2008.

Systemax also operates CompUSA.com, a retail web site that offers an assortment of products, as well as a dedicated catalog site for businesses.

History

• 1984 - Founded as Software Warehouse in Addison, Texas, selling direct to business customers.
• 1985 - Opened first retail store.
• 1986 - Opened first megastore Atlanta, Georgia.
• 1987 - Converted Texas shop to megastore.
• 1988 - Opened first Southern California stores.
• 1988 - Opened first Computer Superstore.
• 1991 - Changed name to CompUSA.
• 1993 - Began offering technical services at customer locations.
• 1996 - Launched retail sales on CompUSA.com.
• 1998 - Acquired Tandy's Computer City subsidiary with the help of former CEO Nathan P. Morton.
• 1998 - In May, the company invested in facilities, technology, and expertise to form CompUSA Call Center Services, a division that provided contact center services to OEM, corporate help desks, software publishers, and cellular service providers.
• 2000 - Became privately held company under Mexican retail company, Grupo Sanborns.
• 2001 - In July, CompUSA Call Center Services became The Telvista Company.
• 2003 - Acquired Good Guys.
• 2005 - Converted three CompUSA stores and 13 Good Guys stores into megastores. Closed all 46 Good Guys locations. Began marketing in California and Hawaii as "CompUSA with Good Guys Inside" in response to Best Buy's marketing campaign "with Magnolia Inside".
• 2006 - Announced the closing of 15 stores across the United States including several locations in California. These stores were being used to liquidate discontinued items from other stores across the nation until the end of October. Roman Ross, a former Phillip Morris executive, replaced Tony Weiss as president and CEO after only four months in office. In November 2006, CompUSA launched their new "Home Entertainment" rollout in 40 of its stores, including Puerto Rico, that sold a variety of high definition televisions and home theater equipment. Ross claimed that home entertainment was one of his chief focuses as the new CEO. In September, it was reported that CompUSA's Mexican parent, Grupo Carso, was interested in putting CompUSA up for sale.
• 2007 - The company announced the closing and liquidation of 126 stores due to the "need to close and sell stores with low performance or non strategic, old store layouts and locations faced with market saturation," according to CEO Roman Ross. The realignment included a $440,000,000 cash infusion, store closures, major expense reductions, and a corporate restructuring.
• 2007 - On May 14, CompUSA finalizes the first round of store closures as liquidation sales end.