We’ve seen GW allocation numbers fluctuate for a while now but this may be the secret to how their allocations actually work.
First, this is actually good news in a way. Well, the best news you can have where there are still heavy allocations going to local stores that is. First up, allocations or caps have been rising lately, with the Kill Team being much higher for stores– maybe even unlimited if people pre-order through the MTO offering even.
That’s not really what this is article is about, but it’s good to see the numbers going up. We want to dive a little deeper into how GW has started deciding on allocations or “caps” as they call them and why stores can only order a certain number of boxes.
The Secret to GW Allocation Numbers
UPDATE: The ordering cap for Hexfire was “five” they did not have to be ordered in fives.
Hexfire comes five to a case, meaning the size of the actual case that contains the box sets changes the numbers that can be ordered, the quantity per order, and gives a good “tell” on how big boxes will be.
Just for a reference, the new Kill Team box has to be ordered in quantities of two, meaning the box is going to be bigger than double the size of Hexfire. So if you were praying for a ton of stuff in that box, you’re getting it!
This is from one of our sources, showing just how big the box is going to be. This also makes sense for GW to make quantities available in a certain number. Because GW is not going to spend precious manpower hours to take boxes out of already packaged goods and repackage them smaller for individual stores.
For Kill Team it’s not as big of a deal because it’s two per box, but for things like Hexfire with 5 to a box it really changes how many will be sent and ordered. Imagine that say there are 600 stores in North America and half of them wanted to only order 2 boxes, making it necessary to open and break down and rebox roughly 150 cases of Hexfire.
That’s an enormous time sink for warehouse staff that are already stretched thin these days, so by recommending stores get five via their “caps” it cuts down on these additional labor costs.
How it’s Changed: Then & Now
For another example, the Sisters Army Box back in 2019 had to be ordered in quantities of 4 with a max of 8, where the Orks Beast Snagga box was just 4 (probably due to COVID).
The other good thing is, as you can see from those numbers, allocations have continued to rise in general lately, so let’s hope when the new factory opens they get even better.
This isn’t the craziest find ever, but any news into the GW allocation machine seems to be interesting for both hobbyists looking to order new releases and the stores who are trying to get them on the shelves.
More Great Alternatives to Games Workshop Miniatures
Do you think we’ll see an end to heavy allocations soon?
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About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
