american sales up!!

[greenmedic88]

Once Japan sales are up, there should be a better picture of WW Wii sales, although the average 40k is most likely.

Over the last month, since the production increases were in effect from 1.8m to 2.4m, note the relative stability in Wii sales compared to the months prior in which you can see a typical trend of an up week, followed by a low week, most likely accounted for by inventory shifts being directed to the NA region where demand relative to supply is still highest. Meaning, NA is the region where the Wii continually sells out regardless of inventory levels shipped to retail.

What this week's NA sales seem to indicate, is that a $50 price drop to the mid-range 360 does seem to shift consumer interest in the platform. More likely, these sales are from consumers who have been waiting in the wings for the price to drop, much as was the instance when the Pro dropped from the initial $399 to $349.

Perception that the current 20GB inventory clearing sale is a temporary measure, to be replaced by a $349 60GB SKU, may well be the impetus behind the rush to buy while the 20GB SKU is still "discounted/on sale."

We'll see what happens as 20GB inventory levels drop significantly below 60GB SKU inventory levels.

This also seems to indicate that more consumers are ready to make the jump to an HD console as the price becomes more mass market friendly. However, this doesn't explain why Core/Arcade sales never had a similar effect perhaps beyond a common perception that the lack of HDD makes them gimped.

Never before has a relatively simple component such as an HDD had such effects on sales for a console platform, considering that it is the key difference between all 360 SKUs.

If the rumored $199/299/399 pricing turns out to be correct, we may well see a lasting effect on 360 sales relative to the Wii.

The Wii "fad" is far from over, but consumer perception of its value relative to the 360 may be permanently altered due largely in part to the price, contrary to what some have been claiming, despite historical trends that demonstrate lower prices are directly proportional to mass consumer acceptance.