Best Buy (BBY) starts rollout of used video game sales in U.S. stores

Posted Jul 1st 2009 3:20PM by Brian White
Filed under: Products and Services, Competitive Strategy, Best Buy (BBY)

Best Buy Co. (NYSE: BBY) has seen some success in its Canadian stores in selling used video games. Due to that, used video games may come to U.S. stores this year, opening up a new avenue for foot traffic into the largest consumer electronics retailer in the U.S. Why rent video games when you can purchase them at heavy discounts?

The used video game market is growing from what I have seen recently. Why pay $50 or $60 for a new game when a used game will play identically to a new one? That's the ticket.

Software is software. Unless collectors want all-new games for some weird reason, it makes sense to invest in used games if you're tired of rentals that last a week or less. Hence, Best Buy may be opening up quite a new window of opportunity here, while increasing competition with game retailers like Gamestop Corp. (NYSE: GME) and others.

The first tests are being conducted in Dallas-area Best Buy stores, where an automated kiosk will scan used games for defects before issuing store credit / gift card to the redeemer. The kiosks reportedly will sell these used games and even movies, according to Best Buy Chief Marketing Officer Barry Judge. Looks like Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) doesn't only have Redbox to worry about these days, yes?

Tags: BBY, best buy, BestBuy, Gamestop, Inc., inthenews, used video games, UsedVideoGames