"Preliminary internal data" from Sony shows that PS3 sales have increased by more than 135% at the company's top five retailers since the $100 price cut was announced two weeks ago. $100 is a significant savings -- but we wonder how many of these purchasers rushed to pick up a 60GB system because they're no longer in production. During the same time period, software sales increased 15% and peripherals by 60%.Recently released NPD figures show that PS3 was gaining momentum even before E3's price drop. In June, sales of the console increased 21% over May's figures, with 98,469 units sold at retail. (However, that still doesn't compete with the massive sales of the hugely successful PS2, with 270,763 consoles sold for the month.)
In a press release, Jack Tretton, president and CEO of SCEA commented: "The new price on the 60 GB PS3, coupled with our very strong software showing from E3, is certainly paying dividends in terms of impressive sales across the board at retail."
[Update: Complete press release is now attached.]
On the heels of a strong showing at E3, today Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced retail growth for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) in July. Based on preliminary internal data, PS3 sales have increased by more than 135% at the company's top five retailers since the new $499 price was announced two weeks ago on July 9th. During this same two-week period, total PlayStation hardware sales have increased by 161%, software by 15% and peripherals by 60%.
Also, according to NPD sales data released today for the month of June, PlayStation sales increased prior to E3, as well. Overall, the PlayStation brand continued to exhibit solid growth evidenced by a 21% increase in total retail dollars generated year-over-year in North America with total sales of $393 million. PS3 sales were up 21% over May's figures, with 98,469 units sold at retail. Furthermore, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) witnessed an impressive increase, up 31% year-over-year, selling 290,108 units at retail, while PlayStation® 2 (PS2) once again remained one of the best-selling consoles on the market, with unit sales of 270,763 for the month.
"The new price on the 60 GB PS3, coupled with our very strong software showing from E3, is certainly paying dividends in terms of impressive sales across the board at retail," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. "This jump in sales bodes very well for us heading into the fall as we launch an impressive arsenal of hardware and software, leading off with the new 80 GB PS3 in August along with the unveiling of highly anticipated games such as Lair and Warhawk. That will be followed by Heavenly Sword in September and six more exclusive first-party PS3 games in October, including Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction.
