GameStop CEO predicts Wii shortages for third straight holiday
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 at 10:16pm by Jack
What’s that? You or someone you love still doesn’t have a Wii, and wants to get one something fierce? I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but word on the video game street is that those pesky console shortages–you know, the ones that plagued Nintendo in 2006 and 2007–will be making an appearance this holiday season too. At least at GameStop anyway.
“I don’t see a near-term end in sight for Wii shortages, not unless they really ramp up supply. I think they’ve ramped it up 20 percent or so, but Nintendo is fairly cautious by nature. They ramped it up 20 and it’s still evaporating,” GameStop CEO Dan DeMatteo told GameIndustry today.
One year is understandable. Two years is acceptable, so long as you promise you’re working on things. Three years? Possibly suspect, and this is coming from, well, me. Be mindful of the fact that GameStop, while rolling in video game money these days, isn’t exactly destination number one for Nintendo. Still, for those who shop at GameStop, the Wii shortages are set to continue this holiday.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:13 am
This may be true but I doubt it will be to anywhere near the extent of the first holiday and lesser the second. Over here, for the first time I see all the shops have Wii’s in stock. and not only that, they’re bundling them with free games – Wii (with Wii sports) and a game like WarioWare for the £180 RRP. This is what makes me thing a new official bundle with a little something extra included will come this holiday. If it doesn’t the Wii may start to dwindle. the fact that shops are selling Wii’s with free games for RRP, says that people aren’t buying them as much anymore.
Of course I could just be wrong. but still..
September 10th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Gamestop is not considered a major retailer to the likes of nintendo, so it is very possible that they will continue to have shortages during the holiday. On the other hand most people will probably be able to find the Wii in stock at Walmart, Circuit City, Best Buy, etc.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
As mentioned above, while GameStop is found throughout many cities (including here in Redmond, WA), it is nowhere near a large-capacity store like a Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Fry’s, or even a Costco, which all sell Wiis in much larger quantity.
So I am inferring from this statement that GameStop stores will have shortages of Wiis. Do you know how many units GameStop, GameCrazy, or even EB Games usually carry? At most 10 at a time.
That’s not really a large number to flip out over. Yeah, the number will probably be adjusted depending on the store size, location, etc.
GameStop does not control the sales of the entire video game industry.
That’s crazy to think that way, as well as to use a press release statement from a CEO of a small business to predict how the future will be.
September 11th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I get all my games from Gamestop,unless there cheaper on ebay of course.Good thing I got my Wii last Christmas!We have a friend that used to work at Gamestop.You can get anything as long as you have the right connections!
September 13th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I honestly don’t care for gamestop at all. But it seems that alot of gamestops don’t get a lot of stock in for Wii. When I bought my Wii I was at the store when the delivery truck bought in the systems. There were fifteen being bought in. While the Wal Mart that’s just down the street, virtually next door only got two units in.
September 14th, 2008 at 4:12 am
It’s not like finding a Wii is so hard right now. I’ve seen at least 50 in the past 2 weeks. No rush to get them, just sitting in the case untouched and unloved.