Aussie retailer opens up on import sales

Retailer JB HiFi has officially admitted that it is selling imported stock in its Australian High Street stores.

MCV Pacific reports that, as in the UK, specialist games retailers in the country face growing pressure from price-focused mass-market retailers. In addition, the import scene lives on in Australia, partly due to both the late releases of some titles and the strict Aussie censors.

"In some cases consumers could purchase titles cheaper from overseas than we could locally via the licensed distributor,” marketing director Scott Browning stated.

We have decided to act in accordance with our cheapest prices promise and source selected popular titles directly from overseas wholesalers in order to provide these prices to our customers.

"We will select titles where it makes sense on the basis of adequate supply, expected demand and meaningful differences in local versus international pricing."

Imported European stock – known as ‘grey’ stock – used to be a common sight on the British High Street. However, with publishers cracking down on the practice it is becoming increasingly less common.

In addition, retailers are liable if they now sell games without the correct BBFC or PEGI age ratings – something that European stock will at times omit.

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