GTS Distribution Hits Pause on “Top 5 Preorders” Amid Tariff Turmoil

Another ripple effect of the ongoing tariff situation is being felt within the tabletop game industry. GTS Distribution, a key distributor for many game retailers, has announced the suspension of its popular “Top 5 Board Game Preorders” program.

The announcement, made on their website for the week of April 21, 2025, signals the growing uncertainty and volatility that tariffs are injecting into the supply chain. For those unfamiliar, GTS Distribution would prominently feature a weekly ranking of the top five most pre-ordered board games on their website’s front page. This ranking, based on preorder data from the preceding two weeks, served as a convenient way for retailers to identify and place orders for highly anticipated titles. Clicking on the featured games would directly lead to the preorder page.

However, GTS has now put this helpful feature on hold. The reason? The tariffs are creating significant uncertainty regarding when pre-ordered board games will actually become available for shipping to retailers. This unpredictability makes it difficult to accurately highlight and promote preorders when release dates are in constant flux.

Adding to the disruption, GTS also noted in their announcement that they are “working hard” to keep their board game listings up-to-date in the face of the tariff situation. This confirms reports of fluctuating release dates and prices as publishers grapple with the financial implications of the tariffs and the logistical challenges of print runs potentially being held up in China.

The suspension of GTS Distribution’s “Top 5 Preorders” program, while seemingly a minor change, underscores the wider instability that tariffs are causing throughout the board game ecosystem. From publishers navigating increased costs and logistical nightmares to distributors struggling with unreliable timelines, the impact is being felt at every level. For retailers, this means added complexity in planning their inventory and communicating potential delays to their customers.

As the tariff situation continues to evolve, it’s likely we’ll see further adjustments and adaptations across the board game industry. The temporary pause of GTS’s preorder ranking serves as a clear indicator of the challenges the community is currently facing.