It's only been in store for a few weeks, but Cochrane's very own board game is selling out fast.
Since its release, Outset Media's Cochrane-opoly has sold over 100 copies in store and online through Walmart Canada Corporation.
Jared Clarkson, Outset Media public relations coordinator, said they are very happy with the response to the game so far.
"Typically, a manufacturer run for us is 720 copies, but that being said, a lot of these games sell out quite fast, especially when they're brand new," he explained.
In the last week, the game has sold over 90 copies, Clarkson said.
The wholesale-distribution company and manufacturer of board games, card games and jigsaw puzzles has been selling localized 'opoly' games for three years and has made 160 different versions.
"We have a game that came out in Ontario and within the first hour of it being on shelves, it sold out," said Clarkson. "That's kind of the situation we're dealing with.
"When it comes to things like that — Cochrane's been selling pretty well so far, we've been pretty happy with it. Despite it only being 720 games initially, a lot of games do end up being reprinted because of the success they have."
Sales tend to do particularly well around the holiday season and board game sales overall have increased during the pandemic while folks have been looking for more ways to entertain themselves at home, Clarkson said.
"When you're in lockdown for that long, there's really only so much you can do when it comes to watching TV and things like that before you're looking for something else to stimulate you interest," he said. "We found that board games are one of those things that people turn to, especially a board game that celebrates the place that they're from or the place that they live in."
The game features properties that can be found all over town and in the surrounding area, including the Cochrane Public Library, Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, Bow Valley High School and Cochrane Ranche.
The game retails for about $30.
David Farmer, Walmart Canada's senior merchant of vehicle toys, board games and puzzles said a shipment of more copies to top up store shelves is expected to arrive soon.
"With some travel restrictions in place and possibly more, we are anticipating that there will be more stay at home Christmas gatherings so people will be looking for items to keep them busy this season," said Farmer. "Games are always a great option."
