In Australia gamers have traditionally purchased their gaming machines from tier two retailers such as Scorptec, MSI and a host of smaller retailers who specialise in high end gaming machines and components. These retailers are also shifting large volumes of large 34″ flat and curved monitors with customers often buying two at once to facilite their gaming requirements.
Now Harvey Norman, Dick Smith, and JB Hi Fi are moving to expand their range of gaming PC’s on offer at mass retailers a move that some vendors are concerned about as both vendors and tier 2 retailers have been making “good margin” on what they sell via the tier two stores.
ChannelNews understands that Lenovo will start ranging their new gaming PC range at Harvey Norman shortly however there are concerns according to sources that the products being ranged will not incorporate the fastest processors due to Harvey Norman demanding “competitive pricing”.
Acer is set to roll out kiosks at Dick Smith selling their new Predator range which according to Dick Smith sources will also feature the new Acer 34″ Curved gaming monitor which is getting excellent reviews in overseas gaming media.
JB Hi Fi is currently selling the Dell Alienware range of gaming PC’s and at this stage have chosen not to range the new Lenovo gaming PC’s.
According to Darren Simmons the CEO of Acer said that he is confident that the PC gaming market will grow in 2016. “Research shows that consumers who buy a gaming PC are more likely to also buy a high performance monitor which is why we are working with retailers such as Dick Smith and the tier two channel to range both our curved 34″ gaming monitor and a high end gaming notebook”.
Acer who are currently selling around 4,000 gaming PC’s every eight weeks in the specialist tier 2 channel believe that the real risk is discounting with mass retailers lowering the price threshold of gaming machines in an effort to grow share.
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