that's a pretty ridiculous decision, but I'm hopeful that they'll begin stocking the system if it proves to be successful in Australia :)

Ouch... Well it does happen in smaller countries when they feel that demand won't be enough and that it could make losses. In the end, retailers want to sell their stock, and it looks like demand isn't high enough for the PS Vita at the moment. But i think they'll stock up months later, still a bad sign for Sony unfortunately :/

I guess it takes up valuable space that could be filled with iPad 3 or 3ds. They will problably stock it at some pont down the line.

odds are stacked against sony this time bigger then ever that is for sure

I assume it also has to be attributed to software as well and back library of DS games.

VG247

No department store bargains for early Vita adopters; Sony is keeping “focussed” with the handheld’s Australian launch.

 “For the launch of PlayStation Vita in Australia, with the specific target market being the active gamer we have chosen to launch the console with a focussed retail channel strategy across national specialist game and specialist technology retailers,” Sony said in a statement given toKotaku.

“There is a long term vision for our revolutionary new hand-held platform, in the same way we had a long term vision for PS3, and anticipate that in line with this we will broaden channel distribution in the future.”

A casual survey of local retailers suggests Vita sales are largely restricted to gaming chain stores like EB Games, GameTraders and GAME; electronics retailers like JB HiFi, Harvey Norman and Dick Smith; and Vodafone, Sony’s preferred 3G provider.

Historically, Australian gamers have been able to secure lower prices and better bundle deals at ardware launch by shopping around chain department stores.

The Vita launches in Australia on February 23. A WiFi -only model goes for AUD$349.95, while a 3G-enabled kit will set you back AUD$419.95.

http://www.vg247.com/2012/02/16/sony-australia-confirms-vita-restricted-to-specialist-chains-at-launch/

Weird cos bargains are poping up all the time for Vita in the UK, especially at the supermarket,

I also asked in Game yesterday why they hadnt got a bundle like most of there competitors, and the guy behind the counter rang head office and they said they will have the best bundle on the high street on launch day but there not announcing it till the day before so they cant be undercut again like with the 3DS.

Im guessing, K-mart Big W and Target not carrying it would be because they can't make enough money of just selling HW to someone, I am curious to see whether they are selling SW though. All three of them sold the PS3 at launch though.

That's because specialist chains generally stick to the RRP, whereas Big W and Kmart tended to have the cheapest prices. After dealing with Woolworths as a wholesaler at one stage, the reason they can sell them cheaper is because they buy in tremendous quantities in exchange for a discount. Obviously, Sony don't want to give that bulk wholesale discount to maximise return at launch.