So how bad is the Switch stock situation?

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Frankly Im surprised at how stocked they have the wii U section in general. The wii U sections in the usual suspects retailers are pretty barren wastelands.

It's stocked because no one buys it. They haven't stocked actual Wii U consoles in forever.

The 3DS case had two Galaxy XL's and two 2DS's. Not much better.
 
Doesn't Nintendo send out retail signage to rebrand aisles? You're telling me the retail stores just threw that shit out?

All the same, this is the softest console launch I've ever witnessed from a major player.
Softest console launch? What? The thing is selling out on contact and every retailer I've been to has had Switch aisles
 
Doesn't Nintendo send out retail signage to rebrand aisles? You're telling me the retail stores just threw that shit out?

All the same, this is the softest console launch I've ever witnessed from a major player.

There aren't many physical game releases for the system yet. From what I've seen most games and accessories are selling out across the board, so the lack of a section has more to do with a lack of available inventory due to how popular EVERYTHING with the system is.

Unit wise, Nintendo actually has shipped a reasonably large amount, just not enough to satisfy demand.
 
I still haven't seen a console in the wild, though I've been seeing docks, Pro Controllers, and Charging Grips in-stock pretty consistently at places like Best Buy and Walmart. Joy-Cons are more hit-or-miss, I usually only see gray sets or singles. I don't see any of the neon ones of either color very often.
 
I was at a Meijer (major American mid-west "superstore" chain) just last week and this is what the Switch visibility is like:

V9mpObo.jpg


A handful of Switch games stuck in the Wii U section. There is zero Switch signage, no indication that this is the new major console from Nintendo. You can see that this aisle is half blue for Wii U and half red for 3DS, with logos for both systems everywhere. Nothing advertising for Switch.

Never in my life have I seen a console launch like this, where the damn thing might as well not even exist when it comes to retail displays.

It's very similar around here. No switch advertisements and the games get tossed in with the wii u section. There not even a spot where the consoles would go... at least that I can tell. At least put up some advertisements and a sign saying due to demand stock is limited or something. I know Nintendo sends reps to stores to help set displays up so what the hell have they been doing?
 
So it looks like the Target ad for 06/11 is showing limited stock of Switch units at Target--guess they're hoarding their Switch stock until then?

EDIT: Sorry Friend of Sonic--I didn't see your post sandwiched in there. My bad.
 
It's very similar around here. No switch advertisements and the games get tossed in with the wii u section. There not even a spot where the consoles would go... at least that I can tell. At least put up some advertisements and a sign saying due to demand stock is limited or something. I know Nintendo sends reps to stores to help set displays up so what the hell have they been doing?

Same around here. I guess with supply so constrained there's just no need to bother much with instore advertising or retooling the display areas since they're either selling out as they come in or being held for advertised sales days and selling quickly.
 
That may actually be more indicative of how Nintendo feels about Meijer, rather than how interested Meijer is in the Switch. Or maybe Nintendo's reps aren't very good in the Midwest...

This looks a lot like a Meijer I was at recently in SW Michigan. The Target next door, though, was covered in Switch material and had little trace of the Wii U. So yeah, it might be a Meijer thing.
 
I was at a Wal-Mart earlier today in Dallas and I saw a lone Neon Switch in the electronics section - no bundle just $299. Was actually tempting, then I realized I had to get food instead.
 
Best Buy told me they're going to have stock for Arms this Sunday. Makes sense of course but nice to have confirmation. Sunday should be a really good day for Switch
 
I had some business in the South Metro in Minnesota and hit up nine different stores (3 Wal-Marts & 6 Targets). None of them had a Nintendo Switch in Stock...
 
Still widely available here in the Philippines. If Pokemon for Switch does get announced later tonight, I might buy one before demand rises lol
 
I was at a Meijer (major American mid-west "superstore" chain) just last week and this is what the Switch visibility is like:

V9mpObo.jpg


A handful of Switch games stuck in the Wii U section. There is zero Switch signage, no indication that this is the new major console from Nintendo. You can see that this aisle is half blue for Wii U and half red for 3DS, with logos for both systems everywhere. Nothing advertising for Switch.

Never in my life have I seen a console launch like this, where the damn thing might as well not even exist when it comes to retail displays.

Yeah I think this is more about Meijer in particular. Every Target and Walmart I've been in have Switch sections with big signage.
 
I was at a Meijer (major American mid-west "superstore" chain) just last week and this is what the Switch visibility is like:

V9mpObo.jpg


A handful of Switch games stuck in the Wii U section. There is zero Switch signage, no indication that this is the new major console from Nintendo. You can see that this aisle is half blue for Wii U and half red for 3DS, with logos for both systems everywhere. Nothing advertising for Switch.

Never in my life have I seen a console launch like this, where the damn thing might as well not even exist when it comes to retail displays.

That's just Meijer. I've been to the 2 Meijer stores here in Milwaukee and they both have terrible Switch sections. Target, Bestbuy and Wal-Mart all have nice Switch sections with advertisements.
 
Damn, I think I was lucky when I saw three Switch consoles in the local Media Markt one month ago. (Heerlen-Netherlands) Glad I grabbed one that day. Haven't seen one since then.

I'm on the lookout because a few friends want one too after playing with mine. But the drought is real.
 
Yes, but retailers have to be willing to order enough inventory to supply the shelves. Not too much Nintendo can do if a company like Meijer isn't initially all that interested in selling a lot of Switch product. I mean, most retailers at least have Switch branding.

At the same time, I do think Nintendo launched this console in a far more conservative fashion than normal. Partly because of the Wii U failure and partly because of its release timing (March).

The system took literally everyone by surprise.


That's just Meijer. I've been to the 2 Meijer stores here in Milwaukee and they both have terrible Switch sections. Target, Bestbuy and Wal-Mart all have nice Switch sections with advertisements.


My Best Buy Switch "section" is the saddest shit you'll ever see. Literally no Switch signage, it consists of 2, 3 foot long basket shelves on a black blank endcap off the Nintendo section. Those shelves hold about 10 total copies of games from 3 titles. The 3-4 in stock accessories (a few joycon selections, and joycon adapter controller) are thrown in with the Wii U shit.
 
It's ridiculous that in Amazon US there haven't been new Switches available since MK8D launched almost a month ago when it lasted a couple of hours only. Fucking embarrassing situation, Nintendo.
 
It's ridiculous that in Amazon US there haven't been new Switches available since MK8D launched almost a month ago when it lasted a couple of hours only. Fucking embarrassing situation, Nintendo.

Crazy thing is that there are people going around defending Nintendo making excuses for them not being able to meet demand.
 
I recommend that everybody go to bestbuy, target, walmart, etc... the day ARMS is released. Like go once the store opens.
 
Damn, I think I was lucky when I saw three Switch consoles in the local Media Markt one month ago. (Heerlen-Netherlands) Glad I grabbed one that day. Haven't seen one since then.

I'm on the lookout because a few friends want one too after playing with mine. But the drought is real.

I just hate how retailers put up the price a good 20% if not more, they know idiots will pay for it, so they can. Basically retailers are starting to scalp, while keeping half of their stock in the back. But that is good reason, as they need to start adding supplies for the holiday season. If Nintendo can't deliver on a good weekly basis, they need to make sure to start early.
 
Scroll up. They were available on amazon yesterday.

One delivery every month, is not "keeping up with demand". Besides, all shops will always put most of those in stock to save up for the holidays. They aren't nuts you know, they have learned by now that Nintendo is unruly and not dependable in keeping up stock. So to make sure they have enough for the Holidays, and keeping in mind that they get like 14 per shop per month? They already would be starting to stock them up. If you want a 100 switches in stock for the Christmas sales, you better start planning as a retailer. Nintendo won't be of any help.

They aren't Sony :).
 
One delivery every month, is not "keeping up with demand". Besides, all shops will always put most of those in stock to save up for the holidays. They aren't nuts you know, they have learned by now that Nintendo is unruly and not dependable in keeping up stock. So to make sure they have enough for the Holidays, and keeping in mind that they get like 14 per shop per month? They already would be starting to stock them up. If you want a 100 switches in stock for the Christmas sales, you better start planning as a retailer. Nintendo won't be of any help.

They aren't Sony :).

Uhhh, no, that's not how retailer agreements work. If they order inventory, they're expected to sell it, not stockpile it. If they get caught holding shipments, Nintendo can actually sue them for breach of contract, since they pay retailer slotting fees for shelf space.

Besides, Switch consoles don't increase in value from not being sold, and stock room space is for things they have to keep in supply because they regularly sell. Keeping Switches in a stock room or warehouse means less space for more inventory that they'll sell through.

So either way you look at it, your premise is complete garbage, since it costs retailers money and exposes them to litigation.
 
One delivery every month, is not "keeping up with demand". Besides, all shops will always put most of those in stock to save up for the holidays. They aren't nuts you know, they have learned by now that Nintendo is unruly and not dependable in keeping up stock. So to make sure they have enough for the Holidays, and keeping in mind that they get like 14 per shop per month? They already would be starting to stock them up. If you want a 100 switches in stock for the Christmas sales, you better start planning as a retailer. Nintendo won't be of any help.

They aren't Sony :).

I didn't say anything about keeping up with demand. I was simply refuting the point, showing that they have, indeed, been in stock on amazon since MK8D released.
 
Uhhh, no, that's not how retailer agreements work. If they order inventory, they're expected to sell it, not stockpile it. If they get caught holding shipments, Nintendo can actually sue them for breach of contract, since they pay retailer slotting fees for shelf space.

Besides, Switch consoles don't increase in value from not being sold, and stock room space is for things they have to keep in supply because they regularly sell. Keeping Switches in a stock room or warehouse means less space for more inventory that they'll sell through.

So either way you look at it, your premise is complete garbage, since it costs retailers money and exposes them to litigation.

Ofcourse but if Nintendo starts being a bitch there too, than most retailers will tell them to "fuck off!". Nintendo can't deliver the goods, and doesn't allow them to start a stock for the holidays (so they don't get crazy situations with people fighting over them). Well then many retailers will tell Nintendo to "Screw you guys, we're going Sony.".

So Nintendo will be lenient in this, they have to. Retail partners are a key part of the success of the switch. Nintendo has major issues with production at the moment, and they already know they are duping retailers with this. (Retailers are the ones having to deal with the customers). So if Nintendo starts to litigate for not selling what they have, retailers will simply pull out. Those 7 switches they sell each month (The total amount of Switches supplied to them), will not make a dent in the total monthly revenue.

When Nintendo can supply them in quantity again, in say 1 or 2 years, the retailer will start to order again. So it is also in Nintendo's best interest to allow these retailers to make some stockpile before the holidays.
 
Ofcourse but if Nintendo starts being a bitch there too, than most retailers will tell them to "fuck off!". Nintendo can't deliver the goods, and doesn't allow them to start a stock for the holidays (so they don't get crazy situations with people fighting over them). Well then many retailers will tell Nintendo to "Screw you guys, we're going Sony.".

So Nintendo will be lenient in this, they have to. Retail partners are a key part of the success of the switch. Nintendo has major issues with production at the moment, and they already know they are duping retailers with this. (Retailers are the ones having to deal with the customers). So if Nintendo starts to litigate for not selling what they have, retailers will simply pull out. Those 7 switches they sell each month (The total amount of Switches supplied to them), will not make a dent in the total monthly revenue.

When Nintendo can supply them in quantity again, in say 1 or 2 years, the retailer will start to order again. So it is also in Nintendo's best interest to allow these retailers to make some stockpile before the holidays.
what.. country is.. this weird fantasy stockpile .. strategy.. from??????????????????
 
I was at a Meijer (major American mid-west "superstore" chain) just last week and this is what the Switch visibility is like:

V9mpObo.jpg


A handful of Switch games stuck in the Wii U section. There is zero Switch signage, no indication that this is the new major console from Nintendo. You can see that this aisle is half blue for Wii U and half red for 3DS, with logos for both systems everywhere. Nothing advertising for Switch.

Never in my life have I seen a console launch like this, where the damn thing might as well not even exist when it comes to retail displays.

That's what the PS4 situation was like in Germany after launch. Mountains of Xbox Ones and not a single sign of PS4's existence.
 
The only store I've noticed with actual "permanent" switch advertising is wal-mart with this type of display with the little screen. All the switch games are stuffed in with the generic "Nintendo" branding above the Wii U games.

(can't find a better picture online, found this one on google images)
(the switch consoles and all accessories are stuffed here. Amiibo, eshop cards and other 3DS/Switch accessories to the side)

Target had a poster pre-launch advertising the switch but it's gone now and all the switch stuff is stuffed in with the Wii U games or the rotating display for new products facing foot traffic. No Switch signage but the 3DS demo is still intact.

(another pic taken off google images, target had this but it is gone now)

OgaJS9d.jpg
 
I know there's a lot of Atlanta area gaffers so if anyone's in NW Atlanta suburbs still searching the Walmart on Cobb Pkwy in Kennesaw had two neon Switch consoles as of around 11 am today.
 
I recommend that everybody go to bestbuy, target, walmart, etc... the day ARMS is released. Like go once the store opens.

I would actually recommend people go to Target this upcoming Sunday morning, as Switch is in their ad. If you wait until Friday, you aren't getting one.
 
Scroll up. They were available on amazon yesterday.
I've been hunting them on Amazon daily and I must've missed it because they were probably available for a very short time which makes my point still stand. NoA's has a pathetic supply chain management and has had one for years now.
 
I didn't even realize Switches were this hard to come by. I walked into Target and bought mine on a whim when Mario Kart dropped. Guess I got super lucky.
 
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