Game Group in the U.K. has recently finished a company-wide review and decided to close a number of its stores, Edge has reported. The company, which has 682 stores currently, will shut down multiple Game and Gamestation outlets, in addition to all Game concessions in Debenhams stores. Game stressed that the affected locations represent “a small percentage of the U.K. Group.”
All told, about 247 employees will be cut. Game said it will attempt to help the affected workers find new employment.
“We are committed to evolving our business to make sure it operates as efficiently as possible while consistently delivering the high standards of service our customers demand. We regularly review our entire store portfolio, including our concessions, to maximise the opportunities to reach customers while also ensuring that the business is running as effectively as possible," said Game in a statement. "As a result of this review process, and the tougher market conditions that we face in 2010, we have announced our intention to close 12 Game stores, 6 Gamestation stores, and all 25 of our concessions in Debenhams stores. In each location, we have detailed plans to support the customers and employees."
The statement continued, “The majority of the identified sites are located close to another one of our stores, and we will help each customer affected by a closure to transfer to their nearest store as well as our online offerings. We will provide extensive support to the teams in each store. However, with deep regret, we have had to offer redundancy to 247 employees. We will do our utmost to redeploy roles if possible, and have started consulting with all affected employees in the 43 sites.We are very focused on supporting our people, and thank them for their continued hard work and understanding.”
Game Group's holiday sales fell nearly 14% and full-year sales were down almost 15%. The retailer blamed its 2009 decline in part on lower Wii and DS sales.
1 Comments
February 26, 2010
I was expecting this to happen ever since they bought out Gamestation, I'm surprised they held out this long.
It did seem a bit silly having a Game and a Gamestation on the same high street... in some cases right across the road from one another (as in my hometown).