What is interesting is we are constantly told that the Sony brand is so strong in Europe that it trumps all things. Which is blatantly false or so says the sales Nintendo is seeing. Perhaps Sony is doing better then it ought to be doing on name brand loyalty, but obviously Europeans place higher premiums on other things before name brand loyalty comes into play.
For arguments sake I have to ask the question has Sony started to deplete that reserve of loyalty. Further more has the successes of the other consoles also hurt that loyalty. I think brand loyalty is being confused with blind faith. I would like to think the European consumer is making educated choices rather then being completely fixated with names.
I feel very nauseated by the notion that the success of the PS3 in Europe is being purely based on what amounts to stupidity. They will not compare the products they will just fixate on the name. I agree that brand loyalty plays some part in decision making, and that for some the name is all that matters. However I think the component is realistic in making up only a small part of the total decision making progress, and that those who buy only on name are few in number. That number might already be nearing exhaustion. They are the ones that bought out of the gate or held off for six months.
I asked the question about this trend three weeks ago, and got much the same flack. Nobody on the Sony side of the debate is even willing to entertain the question seriously. Their response is always the same Sony is big here, and yet their is no other European centric reasoning why consumers in this region should pick up a PS3. Further more on a straight comparison there is ample reason for them not to buy a PS3. Which might explain why the Wii is doing so well, and why the 360 is selling better now.
I have a feeling that Sony has basically wasted this supposed brand loyalty in Europe. They had to be close to the other two in quality, and failed. I am not saying the machine is bad. However considerations like price, software, service, and guaranteed longevity were all ignored in the quest for raw power and to offset losses. They even sent Europe a castrated model. While others got price cuts, or great starting prices Europeans got shafted.
Seriously if these things have not put a dent in brand loyalty I am not sure what will. That appears cocky, and more to the point abusive. How often can you treat consumers as second class. Has Sony done anything to maintain this loyalty, or have they as posters have just assumed they will get this blind loyalty no matter what. That logic worked nowhere, and it is supposed to work in Europe.
I think over the next few months both Nintendo and Microsoft are going to see their stock in brand loyalty in Europe go up. First through their increased sales, and greater market share. Then through keeping their customers happy. Both things Sony has not managed to do.
I also do not buy this argument that Sony has a year to turn things around. Not if the other two continue to capitalize. A console cannot sell itself simply on a handful of great games. Microsoft and Nintendo are going to have great games too. Once Nintendo and Microsoft reach a certain point you see a snowball effect. I think it can happen for both of them since they both are geared to widely different audiences.
Anyway this is a serious concern for anyone boosting Sony. Microsoft could own the next three months. Even if you think money is no issue it has increased the sales rate going into that period. Selling better going it gives you a entry level advantage. Where you start is quite relevant to where you end. In laymen terms they have built up a head of steam. Further more the HD console that wins this holiday is also a console that is going to win some name brand recognition for itself or maintain what it has. There is no denying the holiday is the prime buzz season.
I am really curious to see how Halo 3 effects sales. Does anyone know what the next big PS3 game in Europe is going to be over the next month. This is a good chance to see how much sales are being driven by software.
