Following the failed initiative for kiosk-type used game trade and buy back offerings, we reported that Walmart was once again trying to break into the used game business. In a reply to our inquiry earlier this morning, Walmart has stated that they are indeed testing out the new concept in five locations in an experimental capacity.
In a statement to IndustryGamers, the retailer said, “Walmart is always looking for new ways to help give customers more convenience and savings, and we continually test concepts with new products and businesses in stores and online. We are currently working with Game Trade, a start-up services provider, in a lease agreement to test their Game Trade stores in five Walmart locations.”
It's not just about used games, however. The Walmart spokesperson continued, "These locations will offer previously-owned games, movies and entertainment hardware at competitive values. Game Trade stores will accept trade-ins of media and other entertainment items for Game Trade store credit or cash."
It's clear that Walmart is still evaluating just how successful this can be for the company; the retailer added, “There are no plans at this time to lease space for more locations in Walmart stores beyond these five until we understand more about customer response, which we will monitor with great interest.”
With the second-hand games market seemingly gaining importance and comprising a larger part of the average gamer's spend, it is a juicy market to get into, one that Walmart is certainly not ignoring. Walmart possibly getting back into the game could put pressure on GameStop and its continued dominance of the used game market.
1 Comments
May 11, 2010
Walmart has actually been selling used games on their website for quite some time now.