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UK retailer Asda has dropped the Wii U from its 500 plus stores across the UK. The Walmart owned supermarket is no longer stocking the Wii U SKUs, games and accessories throughout its stores – though a few remain online - according to CVG. It has also been reported that Asda did not stock the recently launched Wii U title Pikmin 3, which is currently sitting pretty at number two in the UK all-formats chart. The news comes just after the retailer slashed its Wii U basic and premium prices down to £149.99 and £199.99. An Asda representative confirmed the following to CVG, leaving the issue rather open-ended:
“Asda continues to offer customers a selection of Wii U games and accessories through Asda Direct, but these ranges are currently not on offer in Asda shops.”
Nintendo is aware of Asda dropping its home console but issued an official statement saying they would not comment on the situation, and simply stressed that software sells hardware.
“Nintendo UK does not comment on specific business practices with individual retailers. However, as we have seen with Nintendo 3DS, software sells hardware, and with titles such as Wonderful 101, Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Super Mario 3D World already announced for this year as well as the recently released Pikmin 3 and New Super Luigi U having reached number 2 and number 6 in this week’s chart respectively, we are looking forward to the year ahead on Wii U.”
Update:
Asda has also issued the following statement to CVG, which you can read below. Asda’sonline website – at the time of writing – does not currently seem to be selling the Nintendo 3DS either, which is exceptionally unusual given it’s the best-selling hardware in the UK.
“Asda will stock [Wii U] games on a title by title merit basis as they come along through Asda Direct. We will continue to support Nintendo as a format holder partner.”
Seems like a loss for ASDA really.
Edited by Alph, 29 July 2013 - 10:19 AM.
