Once Microsoft Inc.'s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Halo 3 game is launched in September 25th, much of the nation will see some retail madness as old and new gamers line up (and sleep) in those long lines just to get a crack at buying the newest, best game for the Xbox 360 gaming console. Naturally, Best Buy Co. (NYSE: BBY) locations will roll out the game with a considerable fanfare.
Will the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer take advantage of the hoopla? I hope so.
In fact, some locations will be holding midnight parties the night of September 24th, similar to recent kickoff for the Sony PlayStation 3 and 2005's launch of Halo 2. Best Buy generally provides some kind of 'surprise' and freebie to go along with events like this.
In terms of marketing strategy, certain gaming titles (and consoles) and the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone are about the only consumer electronics items that generate this kind of fervor. In this instance, Best Buy should milk it for all its worth by providing "20% off new titles" coupons to those that attend the launch party and buy the new Halo 3 game when it is released in a few weeks. The company can afford this kind of promotion to keep the fishing hook in the mouth of as many gaming title purchasers as possible.
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