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Report: Apple iTunes Store Cracks Top 10 List of Leading Music Retailers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 21, 2005 - 3:03am.
Port Washington, N.Y. - Apple's iTunes Store entered the top 10 list of leading music retailers for the first time during the third quarter of 2005, coming in seventh and ahead of Tower Records, Sam Goody and Borders, according to a report from market research firm NPD Group. "The ongoing and growing popularity of Apple's iTunes Music Store now positions the company as a leading music retailer, and continues to legitimize legal digital music retailing," said NPD Group analyst Russ Crupnick. "With the growing interest in digital music, forecasts of more iPod demand this holiday, plus the stocking-stuffer appeal of iTunes gift cards, we can expect Apple to increase its share even more by year's end." The iTunes Store commands 70% of all U.S. digital music download sales, while the iPod accounts for around 90% of all digital music player sales, according to NPD. Music retailers still bettering Apple in sales during the third quarter included Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, Amazon.com, FYE and Circuit City.
tags: Music | Reports | Apple | iTunes | Retailers |

Retailers to Hold Midnight Sales for Microsoft Xbox 360

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 21, 2005 - 2:50am.
Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft announced on Monday that some 4,500 retailers will stay open past midnight for the retail launch of its Xbox 360 video game console tomorrow. The company, which hosted 3,500 gamers over the weekend in California's Mojave Desert at an Xbox 360 launch party, said that Best Buy, Wal-Mart, GameStop and EB Games will open select stores at midnight. The Xbox 360, available for $399 or in a discounted $299 version without a hard drive, will also go on sale Tuesday morning at retailers including Circuit City, Target and Costco. Microsoft will begin selling the Xbox 360 in Europe on Dec. 2 and in Japan on Dec. 10.
tags: Xbox | Microsoft | Retailers | Midnight |

Electronic Arts Ships "Need for Speed Most Wanted" to Retailers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 15, 2005 - 5:06am.
Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts on Tuesday announced that it has shipped its "Need for Speed Most Wanted" title PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, PSP and the PC to retailers. The title was developed by EA Canada; a mobile version is set for release this winter. EA also released the PSP version of its "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" game.
tags: Electronic Arts | Retailers | Need for Speed Most Wanted |

Sony's "EyeToy: Operation Spy," "Kingdom of Paradise" Ship to Retailers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 15, 2005 - 5:02am.
Foster City, Calif. - Sony Computer Entertainment America on Tuesday announced the release of "EyeToy: Operation Spy" for PlayStation 2. Created by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, the game uses the EyeToy USB camera accessory for PlayStation 2 to enhance gameplay. Separately, Sony said it shipped "Kingdom of Paradise," a PSP title developed by Climax Entertainment.
tags: Sony | EyeToy | Retailers | Kingdom of Paradise |

Activision Ships "The Movies," "GUN" to Retailers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 8, 2005 - 9:45am.
Santa Monica, Calif. - Video game publisher Activision on Tuesday announced the release of its PC title "The Movies," created and developed by Peter Molyneux's Lionhead Studios. The game lets players build and operate their own Hollywood movie studio, managing films from development through production and marketing. Activision also shipped its "GUN" title, developed by Neversoft Entertainment. The game for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and the PC features a script penned by Randall Jahnson ("The Doors," "Mask of Zorro") and voice talent from actors including Thomas Jane, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Skerritt and Lance Henriksen.
tags: Activision | The Movies | Releases | Retailers | GUN |

Sony PSP Selling Briskly in First Week, But Retailers Not Sold Out

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 1, 2005 - 4:46am.
Los Angeles -- Sony's new PSP (PlayStation Portable) handheld video game console sold well during its first week of availability at North American retailers, but analysts note the device did not sell out at an impressive number of outlets, Reuters reported. Gartner analyst P.J. McNealy estimated that 575,000 were sold during the week, leaving another 300,000 of Sony's initial shipment still on store shelves, while American Technology Research said just 50 of 150 retailers it surveyed this week were sold out of the PSP. Sony delayed its planned PSP launch date in Europe as it strove to supply 1 million units for the North American launch. "The PlayStation Portable (PSP) has been solid but not spectacular," McNealy said in a note. "We believe that the PSP launch, while not the blow-out event expected, will be considered successful as retailers continue to sell through existing inventory levels."
tags: Sony PSP | Retailers | Selling Briskly |

Sony: Retailers May Face PlayStation 2 Shortage for Holidays

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 1, 2004 - 5:17am.
Foster City, Calif. -- Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced that the new slimmed-down version of its PlayStation 2 console is in short supply at retailers, and the company may have problems meeting demand for the holiday shopping season. Earlier in the year, Sony attempted to clear store shelf space for the new PlayStation 2 by decreasing supply of the older model to retailers, but has been unable to keep up with demand for the new $150 version. "Consumer demand for the new PlayStation 2 has exceeded our expectations, and we are doing all we can to fulfill the wish lists of people who want a new PlayStation 2 unit under their tree this holiday season," the company said. The shortages are being experienced both in the U.S. and in Europe, with many retailers offering only back-orders, and sellers on auction sites such as eBay offering the new PS2 for as much as $250.
tags: Sony | PlayStation 2 | Retailers | Shortage |

Universal Caves to Retailers on CD Price-Lowering Initiative

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 24, 2003 - 10:53am.
Washington -- Universal Music Group, which recently shook-up the music industry by announcing it would lower the suggested retail price of its CDs from as high as $18 to $12.98, has responded to criticism of the plan from music retailers by agreeing not to advertise an actual price on the stickers it places on the discs, The Washington Post reported. Universal's JumpSTART price-lowering program is aimed at reviving slumping CD sales with lower prices. Sources at Universal told The Post that its decision to not strictly impose the prices with a $12.98 sticker on CDs came partly because it could not discuss potential objections with retailers until after the announcement, due to antitrust concerns. "While delivering a great value to the consumer is the primary goal behind JumpSTART, we believe that, at this time, the goal can be reached without including the MSRP [manufacturer's suggested retail price] in the sticker we plan to put on our product," reads a Sept. 17 letter from Universal Music and Video Distribution to retailers, obtained by The Post.
tags: Universal | CD | Retailers | Caves | Falls |