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[mrklaw]

I know that Gamestop is #1 game retailer day-to-day, but are they the biggest on Black Friday? I would figure Walmart would trounce them for game sales that day. Every Walmart I have ever seen post BF has game shelves stripped bare.

This is what I was wondering? Maybe as a specialist game retailer they may be more expected to create a variety of bundles to suit their consumers, wherease Sony/MS need to provide premade attractive bundles into the mainstream retailers

 

[Abdiel]

Maybe Abdiel could enlighten us on what's going on.

Quick, someone lights the official Abdiel's signal.

Haha, the Abdiel signal, eh?

We've been getting our shipments in. Our district is getting plenty per store, from what I can see in our system. They're still doorbuster stock, so they're not intended to last the weekend (or even the whole day), but still. Definitely not extremely limited here. Though I wonder if that has something to do with best buys being more spread out. There's at least two or three gamestops within a few miles of every store in my district, and others in towns where best buy has no stores.

 

[Amir0x]

Just got shipment info for GTA 5 PS4 bundle in the US.


They are low. Extremely limited.

oh shit that's not good for Sony. If Sony was to make up terms on Black Friday, they needed decent shipment numbers for this bundle.

Yeah to me there's no doubt now. Microsoft is winning November NPD.

But wait! A wild Abdiel appears:

We've been getting our shipments in. Our district is getting plenty per store, from what I can see in our system. They're still doorbuster stock, so they're not intended to last the weekend (or even the whole day), but still. Definitely not extremely limited here. Though I wonder if that has something to do with best buys being more spread out. There's at least two or three gamestops within a few miles of every store in my district, and others in towns where best buy has no stores.

Can you provide an assessment for how decent/low the shipments are compared to other holiday bundles in the past? Like "seems similar" or "not that great" or "maybe a bit lower"?

 

[Bgamer90]

Just got shipment info for GTA 5 PS4 bundle in the US.


They are low. Extremely limited.

This is really silly if true.

Wonder if the bundles coming with an actual disc is playing a role in that (again, if true). If they did codes like MS, they could pretty much turn the regular PS4s into GTA 5 bundles easily.

___________________

Haha, the Abdiel signal, eh?

We've been getting our shipments in. Our district is getting plenty per store, from what I can see in our system. They're still doorbuster stock, so they're not intended to last the weekend (or even the whole day), but still. Definitely not extremely limited here. Though I wonder if that has something to do with best buys being more spread out. There's at least two or three gamestops within a few miles of every store in my district, and others in towns where best buy has no stores.

Interesting. There are definitely far more Gamestops than Best Buys in my area too.

 

[cakely]

oh shit that's not good for Sony. If Sony was to make up terms on Black Friday, they needed decent shipment numbers for this bundle.

Yeah to me there's no doubt now. Microsoft is winning November NPD.

But wait! A wild Abdiel appears:



Can you provide an assessment for how decent/low the shipments are compared to other holiday bundles in the past? Like "seems similar" or "not that great" or "maybe a bit lower"?

Just based on Amazon standings (monthly) I think the Xbox will beat the Playstation 4 in November NPDs. Microsoft had a huge two weeks and I feel it will be difficult for Sony to close that gap during a single Black Friday weekend.

You can come to the the same conclusion, but I wouldn't base it on a post from a single GameStop employee.

 

[Abdiel]

oh shit that's not good for Sony. If Sony was to make up terms on Black Friday, they needed decent shipment numbers for this bundle.

Yeah to me there's no doubt now. Microsoft is winning November NPD.

But wait! A wild Abdiel appears:



Can you provide an assessment for how decent/low the shipments are compared to other holiday bundles in the past? Like "seems similar" or "not that great" or "maybe a bit lower"?

You posted a minute after me, haha. You must have been typing while I was.

Well, just for an example, most of my stores have more ps4 bundles ready to go, even after our final shipment of xb1s before BF.

In terms of past bundles, I'm not sure, honestly for exact numbers, but I'll see what I can dig up. I said it on another post, but normally the BF product is a unique SKU, it exists until inventory is gone, then never again.

Store management was pleased with the ps4 inventory, they're expected to do extremely well.

 

[Amir0x]

You posted a minute after me, haha. You must have been typing while I was.

Well, just for an example, most of my stores have more ps4 bundles ready to go, even after our final shipment of xb1s before BF.

In terms of past bundles, I'm not sure, honestly for exact numbers, but I'll see what I can dig up. I said it on another post, but normally the BF product is a unique SKU, it exists until inventory is gone, then never again.

Store management was pleased with the ps4 inventory, they're expected to do extremely well.

Very much appreciated. November NPD will be the most fascinating NPD in a long time if we can get just one leak about how big the difference in sales between the consoles is. Like even a percentage... like "Xbox One sold 52% more than PS4" or whatever lol

 

[hawk2025]

Haha, the Abdiel signal, eh?

We've been getting our shipments in. Our district is getting plenty per store, from what I can see in our system. They're still doorbuster stock, so they're not intended to last the weekend (or even the whole day), but still. Definitely not extremely limited here. Though I wonder if that has something to do with best buys being more spread out. There's at least two or three gamestops within a few miles of every store in my district, and others in towns where best buy has no stores.

And that's why I trust larger evidence based on a decent sample rather than random Gamestop employee anecdotes.

Thanks!

 

[The Shogun]

You posted a minute after me, haha. You must have been typing while I was.

Well, just for an example, most of my stores have more ps4 bundles ready to go, even after our final shipment of xb1s before BF.

In terms of past bundles, I'm not sure, honestly for exact numbers, but I'll see what I can dig up. I said it on another post, but normally the BF product is a unique SKU, it exists until inventory is gone, then never again.

Store management was pleased with the ps4 inventory, they're expected to do extremely well.

You have more GTA PS4s than Xbox One's?

That is incredibly incredibly interesting.

 

[anexanhume]

The consumer index is the highest it's been since the housing crash in 2008, so I expect consumers will be ready to pick up new systems this holiday.

 

[The Shogun]

And that's why I trust larger evidence based on a decent sample rather than random Gamestop employee anecdotes.

Thanks!

Random. Anecdotes. Lol

 

[Aquamarine]

And that's why I trust larger evidence based on a decent sample rather than random Gamestop employee anecdotes.

Thanks!

The Shogun isn't just a "random Gamestop employee." He has access to a wider breadth of knowledge beyond store-level stuff.

 

[Mrbob]

And that's why I trust larger evidence based on a decent sample rather than random Gamestop employee anecdotes.

Thanks!

Does he have data for a larger district or just data for his store? If it is his store only then the data isn't very useful. If it is for the district it is more useful but not as useful as knowing stock for the entire chain. The are a variety of factors why his store doesn't have many GTA bundles:

1) Smaller location
2) Does less Playstation business than other locations
3) Lots of other Gamestop stores nearby splitting up supply
4) Tieing into number 3, more Gamestop stores in general. Isn't there like 4000 gamestop stores versus about 600 best buy stores. Gamestop has to supply many more locations overall.

 

[theprodigy]

And that's why I trust larger evidence based on a decent sample rather than random Gamestop employee anecdotes.

Thanks!

oh the irony of this post

 

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

Well, if sony are not prepared to ship enough consoles then the month deserves to be lost.

Once again SCEA proves its the most incompetent branch of SCE.

 

[TrebuchetGames]

Well, if sony are not prepared to ship enough consoles then the month deserves to be lost.

Once again SCEA proves its the most incompetent branch of SCE.

Can we say that just yet though? I mean yes some people are saying they haven't had much stock, while others are saying pretty good stock, and we have a picture of over 200 consoles....

I would expect there would be a wide range of stock depending on location, i think its too early to say "Sony messed up"

 

[Aquamarine]

Does he have data for a larger district or just data for his store? If it is his store only then the data isn't very useful. If it is for the district it is more useful but not as useful as knowing stock for the entire chain. The are a variety of factors why his store doesn't have many GTA bundles:

1) Smaller location
2) Does less Playstation business than other locations
3) Lots of other Gamestop stores nearby splitting up supply
4) Tieing into number 3, more Gamestop stores in general. Isn't there like 4000 gamestop stores versus about 600 best buy stores. Gamestop has to supply many more locations overall.

The Shogun has access to data outside of just his store.


GameStop has 4,434 USA stores.

Wal-Mart has 4,344 USA stores.

Target has 1,801 USA stores.

Best Buy has 1,055 USA stores.

 

[TomShoe]

GameStop has 4,434 USA stores.

Disgusting

 

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

Can we say that just yet though? I mean yes some people are saying they haven't had much stock, while others are saying pretty good stock, and we have a picture of over 200 consoles....

I would expect there would be a wide range of stock depending on location, i think its too early to say "Sony messed up"

I dont have that much confidence in SCEA to be honest. But yeah. Lets wait till at least after BF to start making conclusions.

 

[Chobel]

From my understanding, Shogun has access to Gamestop data nation wide, Abdiel has access to best buy data in only one district.

EDIT: Correction; Abdiel can have access to data of all the districts.

 

[CosmicQueso]

Like even a percentage

Ok. Maybe it'll pop up next month.

 

[Toki767]

It could just be that Sony chose to supply more to the regular retailers (Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart) that get a super large crowd on Black Friday than Gamestop.

We're just really not going to know anything until next month.

 

[Square2015]

It's been that way for a while.

GameStop used to have a more diminished presence (back when Babbages used to be separate), but nowadays it's even bigger than Wal-Mart for the retail video game market.

That's because Gamestops are EVERYWHERE here in the USA; they're becoming as ubiquitous as McDonalds.

P.S. welcome back Aqua

 

[hawk2025]

From my understanding, Shogun has access to Gamestop data nation wide, abdiel has access to best buy data in only one district.

I won't quote everyone to avoid a wall of text.


Woops and my apologies to him!

 

[Abdiel]

From my understanding, Shogun has access to Gamestop data nation wide, abdiel has access to best buy data in only one district.

I can pull up the data from every district, I just have to do so manually. I don't have a single national report. My searches mean going 1 SKU at a time, and searching each district to check the sales/shipment info. Just takes time.

 

[TrebuchetGames]

That's because Gamestops are EVERYWHERE here in the USA; they're becoming as ubiquitous as McDonalds.

P.S. welcome back Aqua

Well that's the key... what numbers per store.

I mean if Sony just supplied 40 consoles to each Gamestop that would be 177,360 consoles, just for them. Some might have less, some might have more.

Without a bit more context we really don't have a clue.

 

[Abdiel]

You have more GTA PS4s than Xbox One's?

That is incredibly incredibly interesting.

Our Sony rep was actually in the store just a few days ago, discussing expected shipments. From the sounds of it, they were determined to get us the inventory we could expect to move.

Also, MS sent us a ton of inventory at the start of the month, we've worked through a good amount of it, but they haven't sent us any huge 'refresher' shipments, so to speak.

And I was going to say to the guy that was discounting your insight - Shogun's input is no less valid than mine in any way shape or form. Just like with Cornbread, different retailers, different opportunities for information.

 

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

Well that's the key... what numbers per store.

I mean if Sony just supplied 40 consoles to each Gamestop that would be 177,360 consoles, just for them. Some might have less, some might have more.

Without a bit more context we really don't have a clue.

I dont think extremely limited suggests that much.

Id go with close to 10 per store.

 

[Mrbob]

Well that's the key... what numbers per store.

I mean if Sony just supplied 40 consoles to each Gamestop that would be 177,360 consoles, just for them. Some might have less, some might have more.

Without a bit more context we really don't have a clue.

Yeah this is what I'm getting at. It is hard to parse the data without knowing the per store average (This data won't be made public). It is also tough because we don't know where Sony is weighting importance for Black Friday. But if Sony isn't shipping many GTA bundles I think this is a mistake. Should be running this promo for the entire holiday season.

 

[The Shogun]

And I was going to say to the guy that was discounting your insight - Shogun's input is no less valid than mine in any way shape or form. Just like with Cornbread, different retailers, different opportunities for information.

Very true.

 

[Toki767]

Yeah this is what I'm getting at. It is hard to parse the data without knowing the per store average. It is also tough because we don't know where Sony is weighting importance for Black Friday. But if Sony isn't shipping many GTA bundles I think this is a mistake. Should be running this promo for the entire holiday season.

That's the thing with this bundle. It's marked specially as the "Black Friday bundle" so it most definitely will not be on sale after this weekend.

 

[Square2015]

Can we get market SHARE per retail chain for the gaming industry? I know that's a lot to ask but maybe recent data is available...

 

[Aquamarine]

Yeah this is what I'm getting at. It is hard to parse the data without knowing the per store average. But if Sony isn't shipping many GTA bundles I think this is a mistake. Should be running this promo for the entire holiday season.

Take-Two might be charging a big premium for the right to use GTA 5 in PS4 bundles. May be one of the reasons Sony wants to keep it limited.

 

[anexanhume]

Our Sony rep was actually in the store just a few days ago, discussing expected shipments. From the sounds of it, they were determined to get us the inventory we could expect to move.

Also, MS sent us a ton of inventory at the start of the month, we've worked through a good amount of it, but they haven't sent us any huge 'refresher' shipments, so to speak.

And I was going to say to the guy that was discounting your insight - Shogun's input is no less valid than mine in any way shape or form. Just like with Cornbread, different retailers, different opportunities for information.

How much do BB's expect to move, compared to launch last year?

 

[Aquamarine]

Can we get market SHARE per retail chain for the gaming industry? I know that's a lot to ask but if maybe recent data is available...

You mean like this?

*Percentages are based on retailer networks

So when I say "Wal-Mart" I mean:

1) All sales from the 4,311 Wal-Mart stores in the USA
2) All sales from walmart.com
3) All sales from the 621 Sam's Club stores in the USA
4) All sales from samsclub.com



NPD USA Retailer Marketshare, beginning of the 6th gen (approx. 2001):

1) Wal-Mart - 20%
2) Toys R Us - 14%
3) Best Buy - 11%
4) Babbage's / GameStop - 11%
5) Electronic Boutique - 10%
6) Target - 7%
----Top 6 comprise 73% of the USA market

NPD USA Retailer Marketshare, beginning of the 7th gen (approx. 2007):

1) GameStop - 25%
2) Wal-Mart - 24%
3) Best Buy - 14%
4) Target - 14%
5) Toys R Us - 4%
6) Circuit City - 3%
----Top 6 comprise 84% of the USA market

NPD USA Retailer Marketshare, beginning of the 8th gen (approx. 2013):

1) GameStop - 30%
2) Wal-Mart - 25%
3) Target - 15%
4) Best Buy - 12%
5) Amazon - 6%
6) Toys R Us - 1%
----Top 6 comprise 89% of the USA market

 

[TomShoe]

EDIT: Nvm

 

[Loris146]

Interesting stuff.

Have you guys any info about how gamestop performs during BF ?

 

[Chobel]

I can pull up the data from every district, I just have to do so manually. I don't have a single national report. My searches mean going 1 SKU at a time, and searching each district to check the sales/shipment info. Just takes time.

Ah OK, I didn't know that.

 

[revolverjgw]

The Shogun has access to data outside of just his store.


GameStop has 4,434 USA stores.

Wal-Mart has 4,344 USA stores.
.

Mind blown. I had no idea they were that numerous. The nearest dedicated video game store is 5 hours away from me.

 

[Square2015]

You mean like this?

That's it!!!

 

[The Shogun]

Mind blown. I had no idea they were that numerous. The nearest dedicated video game store is 5 hours away from me.

GameStop is massive. Yes indeed.

 

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

Take-Two might be charging a big premium for the right to use GTA 5 in PS4 bundles. Might be one of the reasons Sony wants to keep it limited.

This is a vaild point.

The Shogun would you say the Lbp+Lego bundle is extremely limited as well?

That bundle may have more power than we think. The knack effect.

 

[Ty4on]

Very much appreciated. November NPD will be the most fascinating NPD in a long time if we can get just one leak about how big the difference in sales between the consoles is. Like even a percentage... like "Xbox One sold 52% more than PS4" or whatever lol

It'll be a mess to predict it though
Especially with a gajillion SKUs making Amazon even less useful.

 

[QaaQer]

And that's why I trust larger evidence based on a decent sample rather than random Gamestop employee anecdotes.

Thanks!

I appreciate both.

 

[spatenfloot]

That's the thing with this bundle. It's marked specially as the "Black Friday bundle" so it most definitely will not be on sale after this weekend.

I would bet that it will be sold out. If they had any left, they will still be sold after Black Friday. It's not like they will ship them all back to Sony.

My city has one Best Buy and about seven Gamestops.

 

[Takuhi]

Would anyone be comfortable sharing a ballpark number for the Evil Within sales?

 

[CosmicQueso]

It'll be a mess to predict it though
Especially with a gajillion SKUs making Amazon even less useful.

Heck man no one I know that actually gets paid to do this stuff is even trying to predict the Nov numbers.

 

[wachie]

Shogun, care to shed light on the LBP/Lego Batman bundle?

 

[The Shogun]

Heck man no one I know that actually gets paid to do this stuff is even trying to predict the Nov numbers.

Predicting November numbers at this date and time would be pretty damn ballsy. Black Friday has yet to happen and Week 3 of November was a dog race.

 

[kswiston]

They also had the vita primed for black friday...

Sony up to its usual channel stuffing antics I see.