Sony announced it will close its only PlayStation Store, currently located in downtown San Francisco at the popular Metreon complex. Although there are Sony Style stores across the country, San Francisco played host to the only true Sony PlayStation store -- until now.
Although the store was very popular when the PS3 was released -- with lines around the block -- the store tended to be relatively empty, even with tech conferences happening across the street at the Moscone Center.
"While we are always looking at new avenues for additional retail exposure and space, we felt it best not to continue with a dedicated PlayStation Store at the Metreon at this time," Sony spokespeople said in a statement.
Originally opened in 1999, the store has played host to the PlayStation Portable launch in 2004, the PS3 release a couple of years ago, and several video game title launches over the years. Especially popular among Sony fans and curious tourists, the store, in my opinion, failed to gain traction with casual gamers -- many of whom would visit the store for a few minutes with no interest in actually purchasing something.
I've visited the store on numerous occasions, as I attend a number of shows at the Moscone Center, and noticed that besides the PS3 launch and the occasional blockbuster video game launch, the store is usually empty.
Sony is cutting 16,000 jobs and closing several manufacturing plants while the Japanese electronics giant prepares to brace for a record operating loss.
