Where everyone gets an Xbox!
Still don’t have an Xbox? Well now it’s going to be easier than ever to get one with the new generation video games
console soon to be stocked at The Warehouse.
Xbox New Zealand says it has signed a deal for The Warehouse to stock consoles, peripherals and games at its 79 stores
nation-wide from May 15 this year.
Xbox was launched in October 2002 with six specialist stockists and a huge marketing campaign. But Microsoft says now
the product is ready to take on the masses.
Frazer Scott, who is Xbox New Zealand sales and business operations manager, says Xbox is a strong brand that “makes a
lot of noise”.
“Xbox has broad appeal. Consoles are not only the domain of the cool elite. They are now a product for the mass market,”
Scott says.
“Your Xbox holds pride of place in the living room next to the TV so it is important to ensure it is readily accessible
to a wider audience.
“This is great news for Kiwi consumers because Xbox is much more than a gaming machine. With its hard drive, built-in
DVD and music capabilities it is a complete home entertainment system and our position is that there is something for
everyone in the family in Xbox.”
“And to be more readily accessible to a wider audience, it makes sense for us to be where our customers like to shop.”
The Warehouse stores nation-wide attract nearly six million customers in an average month and account for about 45 per
cent of department store sales in New Zealand.
The Warehouse’s CEO, Greg Muir welcomes the Xbox move. “Having Xbox on board is good news for The Warehouse, for Xbox
and for consumers. Until now we have been able to offer only the first generation of consoles and therefore have been
somewhat excluded from the estimated $100 million a year game console market.
“A next generation console is an important addition to our product ranging and we have been keen to stock one for some
time. We always try to focus on customer demand - and as such have been able to sell a limited range of software for the
new consoles but to date have not had access to the consoles themselves,” Mr Muir says.
Mr Scott says expanding distribution is a natural progression of the plan for New Zealand.
“It is our task to continue to grow and protect our brand. We have had a very successful launch in New Zealand and we
have demonstrated our commitment to the brand with a number of key marketing initiatives.
“We launched with a few specialist retailers to ensure we got Xbox into the hands of the core gamers. Those retailers
will benefit as the market grows because their product knowledge and personal advice will always be in demand from the
enthusiasts.
“And they will benefit from the fact that with more consoles out there more games and accessories will be sold. This is
a good news story for all concerned and the timing is perfect to take advantage of long winter nights when we know
gamers play more,” Mr Scott says.
“We’re where we want to be, in The Warehouse and I’m sure consumers all over New Zealand will welcome this move.”
About Xbox Xbox is Microsoft’s future-generation video game system which delivers the most powerful game play
experience ever. Xbox gives gamers and developers the technology to fulfil their creative visions as never before with
games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. The Xbox features the most powerful graphics processor of any
game console, a built-in hard disk, built-in broadband capability, real-time Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound support
throughout the entire game and DVD capability. For the latest New Zealand news and updates go to http://www.xbox.co.nz About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet
technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to
empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device. Xbox and Microsoft are trademarks of
Microsoft Corp.
NOTE: The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.