Dear Reader:
Japanese retailers talk about store Switch preorders
The following information comes from various retailers interviewed by Famitsu magazine...
GEO
- nation-wide CD and DVD rental / seller
- 1,686 shops total in Japan and 1,131 of them are also selling video games
- customers in their 30’s as well as families were responding the most to Switch
- only a few locations had lines forming for pre-orders, but its entire reservation slots were filled in two days
- why it filled faster than expected was due to low quantity
- there were many consumers who couldn’t buy Famicom Mini, PSVR, or PlayStation 4 Pro at launch
- consumers were trying to avoid another sellout situation with Switch, which is why they hopped on preorders
- preorders for the gray color were taken before the neon version
- neon was reserved more by women, including those who came to reserve a system for their child
- game preorder popularity was, Zelda, 1-2-Switch and then Super Bomberman R
- official carrying case was the most popular peripheral
- the store rep says they believe the price is just right
Bic Camera
- nation-wide major electronics and home appliances retailer
- 20 stores, but each one is a multi-floor gigantic building and located at the best and highly valuable districts of major cities
- at Bic Camera located in Yurakucho, 200 people formed a line for Switch
- Ikebukuro store had the longest line and there were 700 people
- Switch didn’t seem to be receiving a ton of interest at Bic Camera after Nintendo presented the system
- as the day for reservations approached, interest continued to increase
- gray was the more popular color option here
- once it reached its quota, most customers decided to reserve the neon option
- Zelda and 1-2 Switch were the most popular preorders
- Dragon Quest Heroes I-II saw more preorders than expecting
- store rep said pricing for the Switch was appropriate and they want more supply
Games Maya
- small independent video game retailer, but widely known in Japan
- Games Maya has seen a pretty huge reaction from consumers since Switch was presented
- there were some who said they would buy it regardless of the price
- big lines formed during the day for pre-orders, and all slots were filled by around noon
- store rep felt a stronger reaction compared to past consoles, but wants more supply of Switch
- gray was more sought after in general, with kids reserving the neon version
- customers stopped by who just wanted to reserve Switch no matter the color
- final ratio between the two colors was roughly 6:4.
- popular game preorders were Zelda followed by 1-2-Switch
- Switch Pro Controller was the most popular preorder, with lots of Zelda customers picking one up
- already seeing three times more demand from customers than actual supply
- store rep believes customers are seeing the price as cheap
- she also think it is cheaper than she expected
- store rep thought that if the price was not below the PlayStation, it will be tough