Sinclair had previously made its name as a mail-order retailer – the ZX81 was initially available only through mail-order – but the only truly effective way to reach the mass market was via high street stores.
Sinclair fixera anteriormente o seu nome como vendedor postal —o ZX81 estaba dispoñible inicialmente só por correo—, mais o único xeito eficaz de verdade para cativar o mercado de masa era por medio das tendas de rúa.