Topic: North American Retail Practices Are Why There Are Fewer 3DS Colors

[bluelander]

But Reggie Fils-Aime says we may see more special edition 3DS bundles!

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/34728

The reason North American markets haven't seen more 3DS colors is due to the "nuts and bolts of how [North American retailers] manage [their] SKUs at retail," according to Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime in an interview with IGN.

According to Fils-Aime, Japanese retail differs from North American retail because all the hardware is kept "behind the counter," as opposed to in North America where "it's all out there on the shelf." This means that if he were "to have 25 different SKUs out there, Wal-Mart would kill [him]."

While this may mean that we're always going to see less color options in the North American market, Reggie gave a glimmer hope when he said that the special edition hardware bundles they've been selling recently (e.g. Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing) allow Nintendo to have a "range of different SKUs," but in small quantities that sell quickly.

This means they could release several special edition 3DS systems while maintaining a relatively small number of concurrent SKUs.

[Leo13]

The Fire Emblem 3DS was AWESOME! If I didn't already own a 3DS and a 3DS XL I would have bought that one!

[UncleBob]

I heard rumors that Walmart has an elite ninja strike force for dealing with this exact situation.

I'm not really sure they stand much of a chance against Reggie though.

[StrikerObi]

Here's hoping for a sweet Link Between Worlds 3DS XL. I've been looking for a reason to upgrade.

[Kytim89]

I am jst waiting for the all black 3DS XL that was released in Europe.

[Ceric]

Here's hoping for a sweet Link Between Worlds 3DS XL. I've been looking for a reason to upgrade.

That could be cool.

Though why couldn't Nintendo just let retailers choose they colors they like to sale.

[ThePerm]

how about....not having so many SKUs at wal-mart and having stuff you can order at Nintendo.com?

[EasyCure]

Here's hoping for a sweet Link Between Worlds 3DS XL. I've been looking for a reason to upgrade.

This may just be the reason I finally pick up a 3DS.. Part of me can't wait for it to he announced, but I'm still somewhat hesitant... mainly because I know my wallet will suffer. It will be hard not to pick up like ten games at the same time!

[EasyCure]

how about....not having so many SKUs at wal-mart and having stuff you can order at Nintendo.com?

Might ruin retail relations?

[Kytim89]

Nintendo could always make to where you could easily disassemble the 3DS and replace the shell with ones that are sold at retail in a similar manner to the Xbox 360.

[KDR_11k]

It's actually Uncle Bob's plan to make sure nobody else gets as big of a collection as he has.

[Enner]

how about....not having so many SKUs at wal-mart and having stuff you can order at Nintendo.com?

Might ruin retail relations?

They could go the route of having systems be retailer exclusive similar to how Wal-Mart got that blue Wii bundle.

[TheXenocide]

Why can't it just be one SKU? Color aside, there's no difference between a pink 3DS and a black one.

[bluelander]

Why can't it just be one SKU? Color aside, there's no difference between a pink 3DS and a black one.

From what I understand about retail multiple SKUs make it easier to track product. Without them a retailer couldn't tell how many of a specific color they had without checking each time.

If blue sells more than pink they want more blue, and multiple SKUs simplify the process of ordering, stocking, and selling that specific color over less popular ones.

[Mop it up]

They could just offer different colours at different stores, like how every variety of food products aren't all available in one store.

[pokepal148]

They could just offer different colours at different stores, like how every variety of food products aren't all available in one store.

but then if kmart gets the one that becomes the biggest seller i don't think walmart would be very pleased

[Shaymin]

If they're still selling DSis and DSiXLs, maybe it's time to recall those too and make room for more 3DS colors.

[KeyBilly]

It would be nice if they offered them as online exclusives.  The retail partners have online stores, and some probably have "special order" systems for those who want to buy it at the retail location and pick it up later, similar to buying a non-stocked specialty lamp at Walmart.

I have no idea how retail works, but the special editions can be very enticing if I am on the fence.

[D-Neko]

That's pretty sad, cuz I've been waiting for other colors since I totally dislike the available Red & Blue, they seem too toy-ish to me. I'd like a lot the Silver color, or Black, and I'd add a Green color too.