Confirmed: RadioShack to start selling games in-store

by Kyle Orland { Sep 18th 2007 at 11:37AM }

Update: A RadioShack manager who wishes to remain anonymous has confirmed to Joystiq that the retailer will begin selling games and hardware in most of their stores nationwide on Sept. 24. The selection of titles will include Halo 3 (available at launch on Sept. 25), Madden 08 and "every major launch title for the holiday season" according to the source, who was briefed on the plans by a corporate broadcast.

Fourteen games in all will be available through the holiday season, though a list of specific games was not available. In addition, 2,500 of the chain's 6,000+ stores will be selling Xbox 360, Wii and PS2 (but not PS3) hardware in-store -- other locations will be able to special order hardware at a customer's request.

According to our source, the focus will not be on just selling the systems and games, but also the associated accessories and cables that Radio Shack specializes in (and makes the most margin on). After the holidays, the retailer will probably suspend the game sales program "unless it does really well," our source told us. The program will be promoted to consumers in RadioShack's October flier.

Original Post: GameShack, anyone? Analysts are predicting that venerable electronics retailer RadioShack is looking to increase the video game presence in its 6,000 locations across the U.S. Media reports cite analysts from Citigroup and Credit Suisse as predicting the company will start testing game sales in their brick and mortar locations as early as this holiday season. One analyst note suggested stores would be limited to 14 games per location to start. Not exactly numbers to strike fear into the heart of GameStop ... at least not yet.

The Shack has offered a wide selection of games and hardware on its website since 2005 but their in-store gaming selection has been traditionally limited to memory cards, controllers and other accessories. The move into the thriving game industry might be an attempt to reverse three quarters of declining sales for the retailer, yet RadioShack stock was down 6.6 percent Monday on fears that selling games might further depress earnings. Go fig.

Read - Reuters report citing Citigroup analyst
Read - Dallas Morning News report citing Credit Suisse analyst

Tags: breaking, breakingnews, gamestop, radio shack, RadioShack, retail, sales

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Sep 18th 2007 11:41AM

wow an update at the same time the original appears, that's some fast work dude

pretty weird move, i wonder why they didnt try this before

Kyle Orland @ Sep 18th 2007 12:15PM

Yeah, funny how that worked out -- the post was scheduled and ready to go, then I heard from my source at RadioShack and quickly threw his information into the post as an update. By the time I finished the update the post's scheduled time had just come, so the original story was barely up for a few seconds. FWIW, the original headline didn't started with "Analysts:" instead of "Confirmed:"

plyx @ Sep 18th 2007 11:46AM

Wow, this is just great. I own a small game store and even though I deal 80% in used game trading and such, a lot of my income comes from selling accessories (don't deal much in new systems, though.) Well, it just so happens that I'm located in a strip mall right next door to a Radio Shack. To make matters even worse, the guy who owns the Radio Shack also owns the building. Yep, he's my landlord. I already knew they were about to start selling Xbox 360 systems, but he never mentioned the accessories.

Jerk Face @ Sep 18th 2007 11:47AM

Busted!

NATO_Duke @ Sep 18th 2007 11:49AM

How many people hate Radio Shack in the first place. I have not shopped there for years because the stores are often a mess, the checkout system annoying, and the selection (other than cables) is worthless. So now they want to get into the game market and compete with the large retailers who have been there? I dont think it will work at all. GL to radio Shack in changing their present market position, but they need to do more than a token effort to get some game money - because all things considered, its more fun to go to best buy or a local store to get games and shop for other things of interest at the same time.

Nekura20x6 @ Sep 18th 2007 11:54AM

Why is Radio Shack even in business? Their branded electronics suck, their components are all bottom of barrel, and their staff wouldn't know Ohm's Law if it bit them on the ass. (In the day, you could actually get help on the stuff they sold.)

The company did try their hand at game and computer systems with their Computer City franchise. They overextended themselves and went out of business a couple of years ago.

I hate to see businesses go under, but I just can't see how they manage to keep going year after year.

jeffx @ Sep 18th 2007 11:54AM

buh? Radio Shack has been selling games in Canada for YEARS. In fact, they were my only source for new Turbo Grafx/Duo games back in the days. Oh... how I remember paying 10$ for Lords of Thunder thanks to a clueless employee's mistake ;)

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Sep 18th 2007 12:17PM

I also thought Radioshack sold videogames everywhere,werid huh.

Dragoneye @ Sep 18th 2007 1:07PM

I thought that Radioshack sold games everywhere too. Though they only sold Sony games and some Nintendo handheld games last I saw (years since I've looked at their games section).

But also they aren't Radioshack up in Canada anymore they are The Source by Circuit City. Ever since they made that switch the stores have become dumps.

Neon Jebus @ Sep 18th 2007 11:55AM

Will they have to relabel all the games to sport Radio Shack branding?

Yes I'm kidding, I'm just thinking of the good ol' days.

Shagittarius @ Sep 18th 2007 11:57AM

I have a feeling they are not going to do enough with this effort for it to work. I would gladly trade masters from Gamestop to RadioShack if they carried all games on release day and didnt ask for you to preorder to be able to get something on release day.

I fear it will be a feeble effort which will only convince radioshack that this is not the way to go.

NATO_Duke @ Sep 18th 2007 12:01PM

So the option to preorder makes or breaks it? Personally, I would like to have the option to preorder something if I am worried its sales will be high and copies limited. I still dont follow the preorder is evil logic around here. Its an option, dont like it? Dont do it then. If they sell out copies to the preorders than I guess that would be because their shipment was just enough to cover the people who carried enough to preorder. Seems like basic logic to me.

I didn't preorder the SE Bioshock then on release day my gf wanted it cause of the bigdaddy, and the gamestop sold me one. Therefore, I just don't buy into the idea they wont sell you a game unless you preorder it.

NATO_Duke @ Sep 18th 2007 12:03PM

Damn, pardon the typos.

Shagittarius @ Sep 18th 2007 12:08PM

Its not that preorder is in itself evil its the fact that gamestop gets less than 5 copies on launch day that are not preorders.

They purposely dont order non-presale copies to encourage presales. Not to mention the less they sell on release day the more of a chance when you come in to buy it later they will be able to sell you a used copy of that game that they make more profits off of.

Gamestop is diabolical and I would throw them under the bus if another company would step up.

Don't Buy Used Games!

NATO_Duke @ Sep 18th 2007 1:04PM

I will agree on one point for sure - buying used games is bad. I can't believe the markup they use! Selling a used game for $5 less than the new copy next to it? That's insane!

HineyWipe @ Sep 18th 2007 11:57AM

(dates me) I used to have the Battery Of The Month card.
Go get a free (Radioshack branded) battery each month. And then I would buy a Shure Stylus for the turntable.
Face it, RS is cornered and clawing for new income revenue. But they succeed for having something in stock when you need it. And if you need that parts project or solder for the soldering iron...

If I were RS, I would undercut Gamestop, offer better trade-in for used games, and get some installer-contract connections going to cut in on BestBuy "Magnolia" and do a vertical integration of "Home Automation and Entertainment" solutions.

"Who's better experienced at technology, than RadioShack!" (copyright 2007 © All rights reserved)

Marty @ Sep 18th 2007 12:05PM

So who wants to take bets on when GameStop will try to buy them out?

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 18th 2007 12:11PM

BAAAAAHAHAHAHAH, Wii, 360, and PS2. No PS3? BAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Shagittarius @ Sep 18th 2007 12:16PM

They don't call it 'Radiotrash' for nothin.

FACIAL!

Spartacus @ Sep 18th 2007 12:17PM

In the spirit of joystiq, I'd just like to point out that RadioShack, in its desperate attempt to bring in new revenue durring the busiest shopping time of the year, didn't even bother with the PS3...

I chuckled.

Really though, RS is in business because they carry parts that no one else does and they nickel and dime you. Sure you can get everything online now, but who wants to pay $5 shipping on $0.50 worth of LEDs? 99% of RS's sales are less than $20, but most of their cables and parts have pretty high profit margins. Even so, employees are paid on commission, so they'll try to swindle you into buying $50 worth of batteries "just because".

Diskoboy @ Sep 18th 2007 12:21PM

Lead me to wonder if they'll start making those "Tandy" versions of consoles, like they did back in the Intellivision days... ;)

For those old enough to remember - this is fairly big news... Radio Shack got bit in the ass (and hard) when the industry crashed in 1984.

therpham @ Sep 18th 2007 12:29PM

I think they chose the wrong year to have "every major launch title for the holiday season", considering all the current generation systems have launched.

Sure, it's obvious what he meant, but it's still fun to pick.

NeoAngelicPrince @ Sep 18th 2007 12:37PM

No ps3 at all in store?

I'm there!

But seriously this is interesting and great news. Since I despise EB Games and Gamestop I'll definitely be hitting them up.

And yeah Pre-Orders are awesome. I don't see what all the hatred towards them is about.

Knight Marquise @ Sep 18th 2007 12:37PM

I also found it interesting that they won't bother carrying or selling the PS3. I'm suprised Sony would let a retailer do that, as it just undermines their flagship console.

Shibathedog @ Sep 18th 2007 12:52PM

oh wow if i would have known you guys where looking for a confirmation on this i could have confirmed this for you last week. I was just in radio shack and talking to the guy that worked there and he told me about it.

note to self: Check RSS feeds more often

NATO_Duke @ Sep 18th 2007 1:05PM

So much for that jr reporter badge eh? Damn. :(

Charolastra @ Sep 18th 2007 2:20PM

If you don't know what the hatred is all about, then you've never been to a Radio Shack. Worst customer service ever this side of Circuit City, and their cheap ass batteries (which they're obligated to force on you every time you purchase *anything*) comprise about 75% of the world's landfills. Boo on those jokers.

Ska Oreo @ Sep 18th 2007 3:24PM

ummm I honestly don't know what batteries have to do with game consoles.

crazyblackman @ Sep 18th 2007 2:00PM

RadioShack is a joke. They only truly cater to people who have no tech knowledge whatsoever (housewives and the elderly) and people who don't mind being ripped off. They are the basic local mom and pop radio/police scanner store. I can't believe they've lasted this long. Their service where I live absolutely sucks. I try not to ever spend my hard earned money there. Fuckers tried to screw me on a rebate once but you can best believe that THEY PAID ME MY GODDAMN MONEY!!

BPM @ Sep 18th 2007 2:03PM

Hmm, the ones in Phoenix, AZ have sold video game related stuff, as far as I can remember. Mostly just accessories (controllers, memory cards, A/V and power cables, etc.), but they've sometimes had system bundles, too (Like GBA with a couple of budget games, or PS2 with a couple of budget games, etc.).

Vegan @ Sep 18th 2007 2:11PM

Sweet, I'm looking forward to paying full MSRP for some games!

Jake @ Sep 18th 2007 2:21PM

Radioshack has sold game accessories for a while, I thought. Anyways, it is definately hilarious that they are not carrying PS3. Great Joystiq comment section. I propose three possible arguments for people to regurgitate over and over:

1) Radioshack is crap and they only sell crap, hence no PS3. Radioshack sucks so bad who cares.

2) PS3 is a bust and Radioshack is smart not to bother. Writing is on the wall, PS3 is teh doomz.

3) US sales have not yet reached a level at which Radioshack finds it profitable to carry the device.

Come on now. No more thoughtful discussions about what a whore Radioshack is. Equip your Troll Mage with the Red Tunic and a Fire Elemental attack and let's do this.

Ska Oreo @ Sep 18th 2007 3:15PM

About fucking time!!

horngreen @ Sep 18th 2007 4:01PM

I'll bet all games are $5 more than anywhere else.

Joe @ Sep 18th 2007 4:16PM

Radioshack (or at least one near me) won't be selling Microsoft games very long.

Apparently, they got an advance service box of Halo 3, and instead of keeping it closed, they let their employees buy copies (but they didn't put any out on shelves).

It seems legit; one senior in my Physics class was absent yesterday, has a 360, and works at the store.