After over a decade, Walmart has decided to begin providing its U.S. sales data to outside parties, meaning research firms such as Nielsen Co. and NPD could finally have access to video game sales numbers from the prominent retail giant, reports Advertising Age.
For the last 10 years, NPD has been unable to provide data for retail game sales at Walmart and its related Sam's Club stores, leaving a significant gap in all of the company's game sales estimates. With this new data, the firm could provide to its clients an even more detailed look at how video games perform at retail in the U.S.
Nielsen has already confirmed that it will start providing Walmart and Sam's Club data to its clients in "a few months," though NPD has not yet made a statement regarding how or when it will start intergrating Walmart sales numbers. However, Nielsen confirmed to Advertising Age that it is not the only group that will receive Walmart's data.
Last month, Walmart announced a partnership with cloud gaming service Gaikai to provide demos of Electronic Arts PC games, which can then be purchased through the retailer's website.
This is pretty significant, actually. WM is the largest seller of video games in brick and mortar retail, outside of GS.
And let's not forget that, while DD is extremely important and gaining lots of ground, WM is still and will remain the future a very important retail player.
And let's not forget that, while DD is extremely important and gaining lots of ground, WM is still and will remain the future a very important retail player.