NEW YORK (Reuters) - Linux, the open source operating system that software developers cherish for its shared computer code, is taking a hesitant step toward Main Street, USA.

Sherwin-Williams Co. SHW.N , the No. 1 U.S. paint maker, plans to convert its computers and cash registers in more than 2,500 stores to the upstart operating system in the next year and has hired International Business Machines Corp.'s IBM.N services division to do the job.

It's not quite a huge victory for Linux -- Sherwin Williams' back office support systems isn't part of the deal -- but analysts say it could be an indication that retailers are turning to Linux as they replace their old systems.

Like many retailers, Sherwin Williams' current system is based on a version of the popular Unix operating system but has grown costly to maintain, said Jonathan Eunice, an analyst at Nashua, New Hampshire-based Illuminata.

Typically, retailers have replaced these legacy systems with new customized versions of Unix or with a Microsoft Corp.'s MSFT.O Windows system. Sherwin-Williams is taking a bit of a risk, he said.

"If you screw up at the point of sale and the customer walks away from you that's a bad thing," he said.

But, he said, Linux isn't being asked to do too much high-stress computing here. "It's just a nice, low-cost platform for doing kind of everyday computing."

IBM will begin deploying the systems, which will involve 9,700 NetVista destktop personal computers, in July. It declined to disclose financial terms.

IBM beat out competitors including Hewlett-Packard Co. HPQ.N , Dell Computer Corp. DELL.O and Sun Microsystems Inc. SUNW.O for the contract.