Nintendo Switch Supply Issues To Continue For Rest Of The Year: GameStop

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The Nintendo Switch is out of stock on several online retail sites and at brick and mortar stores. Only a few stores, like Toys R Us, Argos, etc., are selling the console currently, while others are displaying the device as a “pre-order” or “out of stock.” Now a GameStop executive hints that it appears the supply problems will continue, at least for this year.

Demand for Nintendo Switch remains strong: GameStop

During the retailer’s earnings call, GameStop Chief Operating Officer Tony Bartel talked about supply and demand for the console. Bartel said that demand is still “incredibly strong.”

Whenever a GameStop location receives a restock of the Nintendo Switch, the consoles are sold out within just hours, claims Bartel. This, according to the GameStop executive, shows that demand for the hybrid console has not slowed down yet.

Bartel thinks that the Japanese gaming giant will be “chasing supply this entire year” due to increasing demand for the Switch. For customers who want to buy the hybrid console as soon as possible, this sounds like bad news.

The GameStop executive also spoke about the high attach rate between The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and the Nintendo Switch. Bartel said there is an almost one-to-one attach rate between the two, which means nearly all current owners of the Switch also bought the game. According to Superdata, about 89% of Switch purchasers also bought a copy of this newest installment of The Legend of Zelda.

Could beat Wii in sales

Meanwhile, Eric Bright, the senior director of merchandising at GameStop, said that initial sales suggest that the Switch could overshadow the Wii in terms of sales. The Wii, of which about 100 million units were sold, is Nintendo’s best-selling home console so far.

“Initial sales on this have been phenomenal. I can’t give straight numbers, but I can say we’re seeing one of the highest attach rates of software and accessories to a device that we’ve seen in a long time,” Bright said.

During the first week of its availability, about 1.5 million units of the popular hybrid console were sold, according to data projections by the research firm Superdata. This showcases the strong demand for the Nintendo Switch. Tech Times notes that multiple retailers sold out of the device within just a few hours. Recent reports hinted that Nintendo is planning to double production for its hybrid console from 8 million units to 16 million units starting next month.

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