Nintendo Wii Case Study
Problem Statement: Nineteen’s George Harrison needs a solution to deal with chronic product shortages when unexpected demand exceeds supply despite the increase in manufacturing capacity.
Preventing product shortages would also eliminate an opportunity for competitors to Increase market share In a highly competitive electronic entertainment Industry.
Objective: To develop a product planning strategy to effectively deal with the 2007 holiday season and demand going forward to reduce product shortages. To develop a tragedy that sees Nintendo maintain its market leader status once it is in the market maturity stage
Background: Nintendo has been In existence since 1889, starting with cards and then expanding Into toys and games Nintendo is the leading video game maker in the united States Nintendo has had phenomenal success with their recent launches of WI and ADS In 1992, Nintendo had captured 80% share of the market for video games
Situation Analysis:
S. W. O. T Analysts:
Strengths: Nintendo is a well known and established brand with an excellent reputation Had phenomenal success with recent product launches Product priced lower than the competition Nintendo games are easy to learn, but hard to master Nintendo has the first motion-sensing controller in the video game industry Nintendo WI, with its motion-sensing controller can help improve fitness
Weaknesses: Not able to keep up with the demand of their latest console WI Weaker graphics and processors as compared to its competitors Nintendo ignored trend changes in consumer’s preference to computer games in the past Nintendo players lack built-in DVD or blue-ray players
Opportunities: Opportunity for Nintendo to increase revenue through online advertising on the WI channel Games can be developed at 25 to 50% of the cost of games for the intention Games can be developed in a significantly shorter time than for the competition Nintendo consoles appeal to the older market that likes challenging non- violent games Demand is still high for WI and ADS
Threats: Customers are willing to pay premium price for better function and graphics Competition has lowered the price of their console to compete Customers are more into complicated and hard to win games Competition has started to introduce their own new games for casual users to compete directly with Nintendo Customers are starting to wonder if product mortgages are Intentional to Keep teem Interested suppliers Tort parts are unmade to meet Nineteen’s demand Retailers bundled up WI with different peripherals, selling them for $350 and $600, pricing more than competitors
Conclusion: Currently Nintendo has several opportunities and strengths it can take advantage of.
It is going to need all these and more to stay competitive in this fast moving and highly competitive market. Its biggest problem is the product shortage which it needs to be rectified to stay competitive otherwise consumers may tire of waiting to purchase a WI console and will purchase from the competition.
Market Analysis: Video game consoles would be part of the specialty product class. These are items that a consumer really wants and makes a special effort to find. Typically these items are in high demand around the holidays and then demand will subside with small peaks throughout the year.
This enables businesses to stockpile product for the next holiday season. Unfortunately this has not happened for Nintendo and demand has stayed high throughout the year which means they have not been able to stockpile for the upcoming holiday season.
The product life cycle of video games can be retry unpredictable but in general tends to be shorter due to ever changing technology. Nintendo has had great success over the past 20+ years in the market by coming up with unique products with differentiating marketing strategies. The latest evidence of this is the release of its handheld console called ADS and motion-sensing controller for the WI console, because of this Nintendo has become a leader in the market once again. But, Nintendo was caught off guard during the first life cycle, market introduction for its WI.
This is because traditionally sales are low during arrest introduction stage but in the case of WI, Nintendo saw acceleration in demand after the first holiday season instead of a decline.
This could be because some new-product ideas will move through the early stage of the life cycle more quickly when it has certain characteristic’s but even industry analysts such as Michael Peachtree who said “I’ve never seen anything like this” and “Nintendo could not have expected this level of popularity” was shocked at the demands. Nintendo is now in the market growth stage making big profits but its competitors are responding by roaring the cost of their consoles and developing new software to directly compete.
Segmentation Analysis: In Appendix A you will find the Segment Analysis chart. We divided the market into four main segments young children, teenager/young adult, parents and senior citizens. With its easy to use and more simplistic family and fitness oriented games Nintendo currently has a large majority of the young children, parents and senior citizen market which makes up approximately 65% of the industry.
As there are currently many games on the market that appeal to these groups, their efforts may De netter served trying to total some AT ten teenager/young adult market Day developing a few games that have higher graphics and speed and more violence.
Competition Analysis: When Nintendo introduced the WI they had obviously analyses their competitors to find a competitive advantage. They took advantage of this by developing a new easier to use motion controller that encourages people to be physically active while playing and their games appeal to everyone not Just the hardcore gamers. Appendix B shows a competitive analysis for Nintendo and its main competition.
Even though the Nintendo WI is currently in the market growth stage it won’t take long for it to get to the market maturity stage as both Microsoft and Sony have started to adapt their products to more directly compete against the WI.
It is important for a firm to have some competitive advantage as it moves into market maturity. Even a small advantage can make a big difference and some firms do very well by carefully managing their maturing products. Nintendo will have to keep this in mind if they want to stay the industry leader in game console sales as Microsoft ND Sony continue to adapt their products to more directly compete against the WI.
Financial Analysis: Nintendo is forecasted to sell 14 millions Wig’s and the profit on each hardware unit sold is $50. If Nintendo is able to keep up with the demand their total profit based on projected sales could be approximately 700 million.
They are still the cheapest console in the market at $2495 as compared to its competitors. Nintendo can further increase its profits by bundling accessories and games with its console. WI packages could be sold between $350 to $6006 which could further increase their revenues and profits. Nintendo could also make additional revenue from the advertising that it allows on its WI channel. All of this indicates that Nintendo is financially sound and its latest offering is raking in big revenues and making decent profits.
If Nintendo is able to keep up with the demand they could have another record breaking year in terms of sales and revenues.
Case Keys: Wig’s motion sensor technology is unique and first off a kind, it provides Nintendo with an opportunity to develop creative accessories, such as, electronic guitar, fitness ATT etc. Online gaming, Nineteen’s WI channel is a free service subsidized by online gaming and subscription fees. The WI channel also included an art program to create an avatar and could use them in multilayer games.
Key Success Factors: Developed Ana Introduced a product Tanat was Deterrent tan ten competition Lowest priced game console in the market Still the only motion sensor controlled game console on the market More games available for the WI than the competition
Key Uncertainties: Will Nintendo be able to keep up with product demand May not be able to win over hardcore gamers How soon will it be before Sony and Microsoft have motion sensor controllers Product life cycle can be very short if the product is not upgradeable Nintendo needs to be responsive to changes in market trends Competitors may easily replicate Nineteen’s users-friendly concept
Alternative Solutions:
- Do Nothing: Nintendo could do nothing and continue to have possible shortages until the current component manufacturer increase production or provide enough components to fulfill demand. Ross: Will keep demand high When demand levels off there will be no overstock issues Cons Customers could get tired of waiting and buy from the competition
- Encourage stores to do advance online ordering: This would allow Nintendo to keep intact with the demand and allow customers to track their order and know the approximate shipment time.
Nintendo will have an idea of demand in advance Customers will know when to expect their product Customers will not end of paying extra on grey market Customers will not have to wait in long lines May not De addle to allover product when customer was tool May not help with product shortage issues
- Find manufacturers to make additional component parts: Finding additional component supplier would allow Nintendo to meet its demand as the required monuments for the console would be available sooner and faster. An increase in component supplies should allow Nintendo to meet consumer demand Another reliable supplier is a good source for comparing prices and quality Another reliable supplier is a good backup system, when one supplier cannot meet deadline Dependable supplier can work as partner with Nintendo in helping in the development of its hardware and software with faster turnaround May not be able to find another supplier Quality may not be as good as with existing supplier Suppliers can steal the formula and try to manufacture its own device May be more expensive than current supplier
- Increase price: Increase the current price of the WI to be the same as the Oxbow 360 or slightly higher. This would allow them to keep their revenues and profits at same level as before when they were selling their console at cheaper price. If done right profits will grow as increase is pure profit High price is an image of premium product and differentiated features Some users do not mind paying higher for what they want Demand may lower too much Competitors may drop their price leaving Nintendo with too high price in the market Customer may question about price increase for the same product with no upgrade Customers may critique that electronic market prices usually decline and not the other way round
Recommendation: We recommend that Nintendo find another manufacturer to make the additional components for a faster turnaround. Currently Nintendo does not deal with too many software developers or hardware components manufacturer.
Partnership with dependable suppliers means that they can increase their production capacity and eliminate or minimize the shortage of inventory to meet the demand of consumers on time. Finding an additional component supplier would allow Nintendo to spend more time on the core of the business and less time being worried about product generates. I nee snouts Oliver tenet attention towards research Ana development AT their next product as it won’t take long for Sony and Microsoft to catch up to the technology. In order for Nintendo to stay competitive they have to think long term and continually update their existing products or be working on the next big thing.
Action Plan: Timing Description Person or Department in charge Immediately Meet with current supplier to discuss product shortage issue one more time Decide which manufacturers to approach regarding making the component parts CEO or member of senior management Senior management July 2007 Approach manufacturers to see if they can produce component parts CEO or member of senior management Gag 2007 Sign contract with chosen manufacturer Start to stockpile the other parts required for the WI CEO and senior management Company in general septet 2007 Start production at new manufacturer Direct all suppliers as to which Nineteen’s facility to ship to Speak to media to re-assure the public that we have increased supply New manufacturer Procurement department
George Harrison and marketing department Mid-cot 2007 Start to ship extra game consoles to stores a little at a time Sales department cot to NOVO 2007 Marketing to continue with promoting WI through viral marketing and TV advertising George Harrison Ana marketing department Jan 2007 Compile data to see where demand versus supply is and project short-term sales to see if extra consoles are still needed Finance and Sales departments Contingency: If the plan for outsourcing parts for manufacturing does not work, we will then recommend for Nintendo to encourage stores to advance online ordering. Advance inline ordering does have many benefits to customers who does not want to wait in long lines and does not like to get disappointed for not getting what they think they deserve.
This also benefits Nineteen’s manufacturing department in scheduling their production accordingly since they know how many consoles that must produced not only based on the projected sales, but based on actual fugues.
Appendix A Segment name: Young Children Teenagers and Young Adults Parents Senior Citizen Qualifying Dimensions Who? Males and females Gage-15 Males Age 35-63 Males and females, Age 64 and up What? Games Controllers, fast action & high graphic games Controllers, games and consoles Where? From friends, television, in stores From friends, television, in stores, internet When? All year Why? Exercise, educational, entertainment, socialize with friends Entertainment, socialize with friends Exercise, educational, entertainment, socialize with friends Exercise, educational, entertainment, socialize with friends How do they buy?
Cash, debit or credit Size of Segment 35% Trends/Potential in segment Growing market as more educational and simpler games are developed Market has remained fairly consistent with most owning a game console Growing market with lath conscious trend looking for physical activity Growing market with health conscious trend looking for physical activity Determining Dimensions Benefits sought Encourages physical activity, educational, fun and means to socialize Looking for high graphic fast paced games with lots of violence Encourages physical activity, brain stimulation, Tune Ana means to socialize Encourages Pensacola actively, Drain stimulation, fun and means to socialize Appendix B Segment Nintendo WI Microsoft Oxbow Sony Play Station Target Market Broad audience from young children to senior citizens 18 – 35 male core gamers Same as Microsoft Oxbow Product Simpler console to make Games are easier and less expensive to develop Uses a motion sensor control Connects wirelessly to the internet and WI channel offers classic video games Faster processor Better Graphics Online gaming with Oxbow live Has two products on the market ASS & ASS Supercomputer-like power and performance Built in Blue-ray DVD player Place Wholesalers and Retailers Promotion Trade shows Viral Marketing.
