It was announced earlier this week that Ticketmaster is currently installing touch-screen ticket-selling kiosks in Walmart stores across the nation. These kiosks will be partially self-serve, with a Walmart employee required to complete all transactions. While the initial concentrations will be in Texas, New York, New England, and Los Angeles markets, many kiosks have been already deployed and are available for use as we speak.
Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard had the following to say about their new partnership:
“By integrating ticketing into Walmart stores, we are able to offer fans this very convenient way to learn about upcoming events, purchase and take home tickets without leaving their neighborhood. In addition, Ticketmaster will continue to work closely with our clients to create exclusive high value offers for Walmart customers.”
There’s no questioning the almighty power of Walmart. However, can the department store actually help Ticketmaster improve sluggish sales? Sure, it makes things very convenient for shoppers who go to Walmart for…well, everything. But if they’re too lazy to buy tickets online, chances are they won’t go out of their way to head to the local Walmart. Plus, as Digital Music News points out, it’s somewhat ironic that Walmart is about “lowering prices” while Ticketmaster is about the exact opposite.
What it’ll come down to is whether Walmart shoppers will save money buying tickets in Walmart. While Hubbard is promising to “create exclusive high value offers for Walmart customers,” we wouldn’t be surprised if the “shipping fee” is the only extra fee that’s being taken out. Guess that’s better than nothing.
[via Digital Music News and Rolling Stone]
