Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I think the answer is 'yes', but how large is the impact at the moment?

It's a positive benefit, from what I've heard.

People can't afford to spend money on expensive vacations or hobbies, but if they've got it, they're still spending money on relatively cheaper hobbies, and miniature wargaming falls into that category.

Considering they returned to proffitability in their last financialy statement, and last time the US was in an economic downturn they grew, I would say no it is not. But then, I am not an expert by any means.

GW is more insulated than many other companies, being vertically-integrated and largely self-financed. GW should do OK.

Not Too mention this stuff is still pretty big around the world isn't it?

It is indeed.

And, the weak Pound is of benefit to them at the moment. Falling Tin prices and Oil prices help keep certain prices steady, and since most of their stuff in made in the UK, the weak pound doesn't affect wages.

Plus, exports tend to go up when your currency is weak. H.B.M.C. is a good example. He is taking advantage of the weak pound to order from Australia, picking and choosing his retailers. I think he can get stuff roughly half price overall.

These sort of savings tend to encourage sales. Sure, GW Oz are going to be taking a hit if this becomes prevalent, but still the parent company gets it's money all the same....

Let me just point out that I was doing this before the crisis started. GWOZ prices are so out of whack with the rest of the world that ordering straight from GWUS would net me 30%-40% off retail, and that's with shipping.

It only got better with Maelstrom, as I could get 40+% off, and pay no shipping. There was simply no reason (and still isn't) to buy from my local GW.

As an example, this week my local GW is doing a special for two of the new Super Heavy kits for AUD$300 (AUD$20 saving). I can order two Shadowswords from Maelstrom for AUD$230, and pay no shipping. So I wait a week or so longer, and get AUD$70 off their sale price, and AUD$90 of retail. If I want for their Easter Sale it gets even better for me. Why would I ever bother with getting anything here unless I needed to get it fast (like those Cadians I got last week).

At the moment our government is handing out stimulus packages because they're of the opinion that if you throw enough money at the problem it will go away. They're giving everyone around AUD$900 for free. Now when the Guard stuff hits, I want to get two Shadowsword kits, 6 Valks, 4 Command Squads and the metals. I estimate it's about AUD$1100+/- to get from Oz, which is more than the Government is giving me for free. To get it from Maelstrom it's about AUD$850-$900 - exactly what the Government is giving me - so, again, why bother with anywhere else?

BYE

YOUR COUNTRY IS GIVING YOU STIMULAS PACKAGES!

MY COUNTRY IS DOING THAT TOO! (felt we needed a dap of humor)

Whatever the hell is going on with the economy, it isn't hurting the sales of GW, WM, or FOW at my shops. Miniature wargames, and boardgames, are both doing great.

Yup. It is now a well-documented phenomenon that games stand up well to economic downturns.

Monopoly was invented in the Great Depression of the 30's, and in the recession of the early 1980's, D&D flourished!

That's not to say that games companies "have it easy". Credit is harder to access at the minute and the banks are jumpy. But if you have a fundamentally financially sound busines (as GW's is) in the games sector, then the odds are you will weather the depression/recession better than many companies will. Provided you still produce product that is desirable and priced sensibly.

As MDG mentioned, GW's cost base should be actually reducing at the moment due to deflationary factors and their exports should be looking more attractive to US- and Euro-based customers so it could be a good year for them.