Stocking hardware when games are bought online: why? - Ars Technica

Ben touches on an intriguing problem that could arise as soon as the Wii 2 and Playstation 4. Right now, manufacturers build consoles at a loss and make it up in the sales and fees for games and accessories. Retailers sell said consoles on razor-thin margins, which explains the popular bundle packages.

As game sales increasingly go digital (Exhibit A: Steam, WiiWare, XBLA), how do you motivate retailers to sell the next generation of consoles?