GameStop To Sell Sony DLC In Stores Nationwide

Leading video game retailer GameStop said Thursday it would begin to sell downloadable content for PlayStation 3 in stores, following a similar move with Xbox 360 DLC . The new offering is just part of GameStop's wider plan to increase its digital revenues to supplement its primary new and used video game businesses. Earlier this year, GameStop began selling DLC for Xbox 360 in its 4,400 U.S. stores. The DLC purchasing service allows customers to visit brick-and-mortar GameStop stores and buy DLC at the retail counter. The point of sale links to Xbox Live and PlayStation Network so the content can start downloading automatically and be ready to play when customers get home. The nationwide rollout for the Sony DLC sales service will be complete "within a few short weeks," said GameStop president Tony Bartel. He expects that DLC, typically costing $10 or $15, will make good gifts for the holiday. Customers can buy DLC with cash, credit or in-store trade credit. GameStop said that last year the company gave customers $1 billion in trade-in credits, applicable towards any game purchase such as new and used boxed games and digital. Starting next week, customers will also be able to buy DLC at GameStop's website. In 1,600 stores, the company also has internet-enabled kiosks called the Interactive Game Guide, which allow customers to look up available DLC in stores. GameStop, which generated $9 billion in sales last fiscal year, brings in most of its money from the sale of used and new boxed video games and hardware, and gradually has been making the transition to include digital business models. Earlier this year, the retailer also purchased web-based game site Kongregate.