We all know COVID has been crazy for shipping and even if GW wanted to they really can’t ship more products to retailers right now.
It’s no surprise to anyone (or shouldn’t be) that COVID has messed up all kinds of things with distribution for everyone. But just how much should the fault be on GW and the fault just be on the state of the world? Well, honestly they were probably pushing the shipping limits to the brink.
While everyone wants new minis, we think them slowing down the releases is a good thing. Because it is beyond annoying when a new faction or mini comes out and you can’t even get one! Especially, because they’ve had to allocate things so much, local game stores have been getting the shortest end of the stick.
When they only get one or two of everything (despite how much they ordered) it’s going to be hard to make it at that rate. While we agree that it is not GW’s job to keep local stores in business, (it’s their job to produce for their shareholders) they have even shown in the past year that they can sell us products even with no events happening.
However, I think universally no one wants the hobby to change drastically like what has happened to movie theatres, and thousands of other small businesses around the world.
Dedicating the time to play Warhammer is hard enough, but playing it in your house can be a lot harder for some people. I dont think anyone wants their local game to no longer support Warhammer (or perhaps just to be beholden to GW stores, or trekking to larger out of town events each week).
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Even if GW Wanted to They Can’t Ship Us More Product
Let’s jump into the reasons why they couldn’t get more product out even if it was in the gameplan. First off, costs for freight has gone up almost 200% from where it was last year. That alone is almost the biggest factor! Longer queues and higher volumes at the ports not just for GW to ship out to its distro hubs in the US, EU, and Australia- just to get supplies into the manufacturing facility in Nottingham is harder than ever.
That means to even produce enough product is a problem in its own right.
On top of that, trucking rates and times have also skyrocketed. So when they finally ship stuff to the USA and Australia, it’s going to take even longer to get where it needs to be. Since they try to do all releases simultaneously, globally, this brings even more issues.
They mentioned in their recent corporate report that their factories are acting at capacity, this at first may make you think, why isn’t there more stuff then? Well, because most (not all) production starts in the UK then ships out from there. So that could easily mean the product is just sitting there waiting for shipping to the other countries.
So even if they have everything, they may not be able to get it where it needs to go, or are waiting for the release window to sync up with all their facilities worldwide.
Don’t forget too there is trying to manage all the products coming and going from their China manufacturing as well. It truly has to be a daunting task logistically for GW to support thier current business strategy right now.
What do you think about the slowdowns? Have you had problems getting product for your hobby needs lately?
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
