BKK2 on 02 May 2008
UK retail prepares for 'manic' GTA weekend
Trade says more units arriving today and tomorrow – but doesn't expect them to last long.
Leading UK retailers have told MCV that extra GTA IV stock is being hurriedly pushed into stores in order to cope with the ‘manic’ demand expected this weekend.
However, the channel has admitted that the title is still expected to sell out on PS3 and 360 by Saturday lunchtime.
Head of trading for entertainment at PC world Rene Wright told MCV: "I am pleased to say that all PC World stores will have significant replenishment stocks of GTA on PS3 and Xbox 360 this weekend.
“However, as everyone is doubtless aware, the huge demand in the market means that this stock will sell out quickly, and we will then once again be gearing up to distribute the next delivery of this inimitable product to our stores."
Asda games buyer Andy McFie added: “We are expecting a small amount of GTA stock in-store tomorrow. But the expectation is that this will sell out within a couple of hours of hitting the salesfloor.”
And a spokesperson for HMV commented:
“I understand we've had more stock yesterday, and are expecting more in today for the weekend - so it should be another manic few days, especially with all the press advertising and in-store graphics currently running - which help to keep fuelling demand.”
GTA sales in the UK smashed previous records after its first day on sales on Tuesday, hitting 609,000 units according to retail monitor ChartTrack.
Trade says more units arriving today and tomorrow – but doesn't expect them to last long.
Leading UK retailers have told MCV that extra GTA IV stock is being hurriedly pushed into stores in order to cope with the ‘manic’ demand expected this weekend.
However, the channel has admitted that the title is still expected to sell out on PS3 and 360 by Saturday lunchtime.
Head of trading for entertainment at PC world Rene Wright told MCV: "I am pleased to say that all PC World stores will have significant replenishment stocks of GTA on PS3 and Xbox 360 this weekend.
“However, as everyone is doubtless aware, the huge demand in the market means that this stock will sell out quickly, and we will then once again be gearing up to distribute the next delivery of this inimitable product to our stores."
Asda games buyer Andy McFie added: “We are expecting a small amount of GTA stock in-store tomorrow. But the expectation is that this will sell out within a couple of hours of hitting the salesfloor.”
And a spokesperson for HMV commented:
“I understand we've had more stock yesterday, and are expecting more in today for the weekend - so it should be another manic few days, especially with all the press advertising and in-store graphics currently running - which help to keep fuelling demand.”
GTA sales in the UK smashed previous records after its first day on sales on Tuesday, hitting 609,000 units according to retail monitor ChartTrack.
MCV
