Stock Going Fast For PSP In Europe

A straw poll of European retailers conducted by investment banking group Altium appears to show that the PSP has had a very strong launch, with some stores already running out of stock. "What is very clear is that the console has had a very strong launch, with virtually no stock," said a group representative. According to Altium’s information GAME, the largest single video game retailer in the UK, achieved a 40 percent share of sales in large part thanks to the opening of 250 stores on the launch at midnight on September 1st. The PlayStation brand is exceptionally strong in Europe, where both Xbox and Nintendo come a distant second and third, and a successful launch was largely expected. However the reason give for the eight month delay in the launch, from the original Japanese release, was to ensure that sufficient stock was available. Interestingly Altium also commented that its analysts felt that the launch of the Xbox 360 (which it claims will take place on November 25th in Europe) would have a negative effect on the overall market as its software is priced “too high”. The banking group therefore expects a disappointing Christmas, with the Xbox 360 launch offsetting the positive PSP’s performance and keeping forecasts unchanged.