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Bloomberg: Nintendo's Tokyo store isn't large enough for its fan base
- Thread starter Zalman
- Start date
It does honestly sound like Nintendo doesn't get how big they are. Why take so long to open a store in goddamn Tokyo in the first place? It's so weird.
Alright real talk for all you marketing/logistic nerds.
If Nintendo was to open another store (in the US) what city should it be in?
For me the TX Triangle (the route between DFW-->San Antonio--->Houston--->DFW area would make sense but I know other cities probably would work better.
If Nintendo was to open another store (in the US) what city should it be in?
For me the TX Triangle (the route between DFW-->San Antonio--->Houston--->DFW area would make sense but I know other cities probably would work better.
Indianapolis, because then it would be close to me. Chicago is acceptable too.
Not a logistics nerd, but if they have one on in New York, wouldn't it make some sense to have one somewhere in California so people on the western half of the country can go to the store without having to fly cross country to do it??
Somewhere in CA definitely makes sense. Then that leaves just the middle of the country stuck. So yeah TX Triangle or maybe Chicago.
I expect a retail presence with Super Nintendo World at Universal Hollywood and Orlando.
Completely forgot about that Super Nintendo Land they were building. Yeah there will definitely be a merchandise presence there.
Was at FanExpo, they had setup a part of the plane but if i remember correctly it was just a large cardboard thing.
Uhhhh i was there at the end of 2016, and it had plenty of PS stuff and PSVR demos and the like. Cant say about right now but i bet for next year and the PS5 theyll center it around that.
There are a lot of things I don't get about Nintendo, but this one kind of makes sense to me. It feels like a strategy that prioritizes avoiding the possibility of overextending the company at all costs, and is probably part of the reason they've been able to weather some bad business/product decisions pretty well. Plus it's not like having huge lines out the door is a bad thing for Nintendo, exactly. Sure, they could be selling more merch, but it'll probably be a hotter attraction in return because of all the crowds. Better that than a cavernous half-empty store.
It would seem that Boomberg is sold into the idea that visual fidelity and the spec race is the only thing that matters in the console space.
That said, they are not wrong to call out the Switch on it's age but honestly hoping for a midlife-upgrade like the PS4-Pro is a fools errand.
True but there is a balancing act that is being preformed here. While you are right, the opposite extreme is not what any retail business wants, this is bad depending on how long is persists... If it is no longer than a few days, then fine. Anything that is longer than a week would likely make Nintendo sweat a bit, since an overcrowded retail space is never a good experience for the consumer.
Beyond a Month.... (and we are at this point, now) Ugh, I don't want to think what Nintendo would do to elevate that.
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The funny thing is they are just gonna repeat it until it eventually becomes true so they then can claim to be the gospel
I, sort of, don't want them to. Living in Scarborough myself, Nintendo having a retail presence in the middle of downtown (or hell, Yorkdale Mall, or Sherway Gardens) would likely make Nintendo fan's in the city go crazy. And that is the thing, their are a TON of Nintendo fans in Toronto.
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For me its the Shy guy (and Waluigi) plush. I would also love a rob plushy as he was my main in DS.
Nintendo is the company that went from the SNES and Wii to the N64 and Wii U respectively. They probably know better then anyone that yesterday success is not guaranteed into tomorrow.
I kind of agree.
I visited the store a few months ago and while it is fun... it felt lowkey a bit? Expected way more merch and more to buy.
The one thing the store has though is a very relaxed and just positive vibe. I spoke to one of the guys there after hearing my accent and we talked about the special edition of Link's Awakening in Europe being way cooler. Also other Nintendo related topics. Very friendly folks working over there.
I bought a Hylian Shield pillow and a Bow-Wow pluche. Damnit NYC store :(
This. Too many times, Nintendo miscalculates the appeal of their products, which leads to overstock or understocking depending on the game. You'd think they'd learn by now that they're consumer base is much larger than they believe.
I went there last week and even at 10 minutes before the store closed there were a long queue at the cashier. They need bigger shop or another branch in Tokyo :/
Same. Hopefully those stores are larger than the ones in the OP.
Went into Manhattan a little over a week ago and every store was crazy busy, but Nintendo NYC (still can't get used to that new name) took the cake. There was a line of people waiting to get in. Was hoping to see what new Pokemon plushies they had at the time, but we passed on waiting with all the last-minute holiday shoppers and will make a trip back there after the holidays.
Surprised that they put the Tokyo Nintendo store in a Parco in the first place. You'd think they'd want to make it a standalone thing, like the Pokemon Center in Sunshine City.
Surprised that they put the Tokyo Nintendo store in a Parco in the first place. You'd think they'd want to make it a standalone thing, like the Pokemon Center in Sunshine City.
Seattle would be a no-brainer, since their US operations are based in that area anyway. LA or Chicago would also be good.
In general, Nintendo tends to be a rather conservitive company. They are not known to "staff up" hard, and tend to err on the side of the low end of things than the high end of it when it comes to estimates. While they do take risks, it tends to be measured if only because they like keeping the lights on (despite being well beyond that).
That is a problem because none of those options are a quick fix or cheap. I am not sure how rent is tabulated in Japan for a business but in a high volume city like Tokyo, I can't image it would be less that $4000 USD a month. That is a lot of money to part with any way that you cut it.
And that's a double edged sword IMO. It's good that Nintendo doesn't want to be an all-consuming, monopolistic empire like Disney. But on the other hand, it'd be nice if they did embrace their size and power a bit more often. They're showing that they're willing to do so to an extent with Super Nintendo World and the Nintendo TOKYO store.
Still, expect small steps than a huge leap, it's how the company has rolled for years. And while, yes it's not exactly the greatest nor do they tend to have a huge presence... It does keep them in business, and it's not all times when business is booming.
For the people talking about lacking Retail presence, isnt the Tokyo store the one literally across from the Pokemon Center ?
Yes, and it's also extremely packed. Neither store is really that large. Tried to go the other day but it was too crazy.
Bloomberg in particular is very guilty of this. Whatever negative spin they can give a story, they'll do it whenever it comes to Nintendo. Been doing it since the Wii days and not enough people have called them out on it.
I would be shocked if there was. Series has been dead for over a decade and there's not going to be another one.
My guess the next stores that will open up will be in Osaka LA and Orlando
I swear I remember there being plans for several more stores, including locations, years ago.
Well, it's a win win situation for Nintendo. They are reaching their target and article like this is free press. What else would could they have done? Made bigger store and risk lose money? Hahaha, not Nintendo.
Let's see if they expand the store before the Olympics.
Let's see if they expand the store before the Olympics.
You are planning on going there during the Summer? You know the Olympics are being held in Japan right? The store will probably be busier.
That still sounds like an attractive showcase to bring attendees in! I don't think the setup at 550 Madison Ave was modeled after a plane.
I am sure Sony will have a blowout for the PS5 launch there! I definitely want to take a look at the location before that, though. I was always fond of the unified experience that came with trying new hardware and accompanying games at the previous store. Using a PlayStation paired with a Sony television, sometimes even with Sony-based audio hardware, felt complete.
Guess I'll be in line for a long while, then. I'm in Japan visiting relatives right now and was planning to go to the Nintendo Store next week.
