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GAME could disappear from high street as last standalone stores close
GAME, the UK's most successful gaming brands, could soon disappear from the high street as the fear of administration looms as reports the chain has closed its remaining standalone stores
Major British gaming chain could disappear from the high street altogether after reports it has closed its remaining standalone stores.
Last week, the company filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, which would mark the second time GAME has fallen into administration since 2012.
The chain, which once dominated most high streets, has since closed several stores as game sales have turned to digital on current generation of consoles.
According to The Game Business, Frasers Group has now decided to close GAME'S last three remaining standalone stores, which are believed to be located in Dudley, Lancaster, and Sutton.
Despite the latest blow for gamers, GAME will continue to trade as usual online with concessions operating from within Sports Direct and House of Fraser stores.
GAME first hit struggles in the 2010s and resulted in closing nearly 300 stores following administration in 2012.
It was rescued by Frasers Group in 2019 in a deal worth £51.9 million. However, since the acquisition, the number of stores has also reduced over the years.
Once leases on the units ended, many stores closed with the location sometimes moving into Sports Direct.
Back in 2023, Game MD Nick Arran, who has since left the company, denied claims that GAME was turning its back on its games industry after stores saw an influx of toys for sale.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz in 2023, he said: “Gaming is our core business and we will be last man standing selling physical video games,” he said.
“We see our place in the market as proving that there is a place for physical, whether that be the collector’s editions, which we see as the vinyl of video games, or the gifter who doesn’t want to wrap up a download code for Christmas.
“But we need to be realistic. We have a business to run and the expectation is this will decline. So we need to fill that gap.”
Daily Star Sunday
GAME, the UK's most successful gaming brands, could soon disappear from the high street as the fear of administration looms as reports the chain has closed its remaining standalone stores
Major British gaming chain could disappear from the high street altogether after reports it has closed its remaining standalone stores.
Last week, the company filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, which would mark the second time GAME has fallen into administration since 2012.
The chain, which once dominated most high streets, has since closed several stores as game sales have turned to digital on current generation of consoles.
According to The Game Business, Frasers Group has now decided to close GAME'S last three remaining standalone stores, which are believed to be located in Dudley, Lancaster, and Sutton.
Despite the latest blow for gamers, GAME will continue to trade as usual online with concessions operating from within Sports Direct and House of Fraser stores.
GAME first hit struggles in the 2010s and resulted in closing nearly 300 stores following administration in 2012.
It was rescued by Frasers Group in 2019 in a deal worth £51.9 million. However, since the acquisition, the number of stores has also reduced over the years.
Once leases on the units ended, many stores closed with the location sometimes moving into Sports Direct.
Back in 2023, Game MD Nick Arran, who has since left the company, denied claims that GAME was turning its back on its games industry after stores saw an influx of toys for sale.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz in 2023, he said: “Gaming is our core business and we will be last man standing selling physical video games,” he said.
“We see our place in the market as proving that there is a place for physical, whether that be the collector’s editions, which we see as the vinyl of video games, or the gifter who doesn’t want to wrap up a download code for Christmas.
“But we need to be realistic. We have a business to run and the expectation is this will decline. So we need to fill that gap.”
Daily Star Sunday