Wal-Mart has created a new online GameCenter this week, a site that will give “first-look” exclusives, game previews and monetary discounts off new releases.
As a launch promotion, Wal-Mart is giving a $50 off discount for any customer pre-ordering three games, or more.
Says Kelly Thompson, VP of merchandising for Walmart.com: “Walmart Gamecenter combines incredible savings with exclusive gaming content all in a compelling and interactive experience online. Gaming enthusiasts will be drawn in by the exclusive content and developer interviews, while moms will appreciate the special savings only Walmart can offer on the hottest video game titles.”
Each month, the GameCenter will update and feature new games, content and special offers.
Additionally, GameCenter customers can trade-in their games and consoles, with the retailer paying all shipping costs.
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It appears that giant retailer Wal-Mart’s aggressive Blu-ray sales over the last quarter has paid off, with the company now about tied with Best Buy for BD market share.
The numbers, via the NPD Group, show that Wal-Mart now commands 30 percent market share of Blu-ray disc sales, about even with Best Buy at 35 percent. In May, Wal-Mart had around 20 percent while Best Buy had an impressive 45 percent.
Despite usually having better prices than BB, Amazon and Target remained in third and fourth place, with about 15 percent and 10 percent respectively.
Overall, consumer spending on BD movies was up 83 percent year-on-year, and retail chains are actively fighting for market share.
“We’re seeing it as more of a horse race with Blu-ray,” adds Russ Crupnick, senior entertainment industry analyst for NPD, via VB. “I think Walmart has made a strong effort over the past year, being aggressive with price. They are very specifically targeting an untapped market. They are saying this isn’t just a high-tech product. It’s something that women and families can enjoy.”
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Wal-Mart has begun a new promotional campaign dubbed Operation Main Street in which many products will see huge price cuts for a limited time.
From the full promotion however, Blu-ray products seem to be leading the pack. The Magnavox NB500MG9 Blu-ray player is selling for $198 USD, down from $229. The player is Profile 1.1 compatible and will upconvert standard definition DVDs to 1080p.
Potential buyers of the most popular Blu-ray player, the Sony PlayStation 3, should be delighted by the promotion as well. The $399 USD 80GB PS3 will come with a $100 USD Wal-Mart gift card that can be used on any items available at Walmart.com. PlayStation 2 buyers will receive a $30 USD gift card if purchasing the aging $129 USD
Other deals not involving Blu-ray include a 2GB Sony Walkman media player for $49 USD and a 15.4 inch Compaq CQ-139WM notebook for $298 USD.
