GameStop to Acquire Last New Zealand Independent Chain

[Junaid Alam]

GameStop to Acquire Last New Zealand Independent Chain

International games retail chain GameStop is set to acquire the New Zealand chain The Gamesman, according to a New Zealand gaming publication.

The eight-store chain, currently the largest independent gaming retailer in the country, will be bought by EB Games, a GameStop subsidiary, GeekPulp reported.

The website said its sources were told that all eight stores will be rebranded by the end of July, and that there will be no layoffs. However, EB stores already exist in each of the locales where The Gamesman stores are also located.

GameStop, which saw its earnings climb 82 percent in fiscal 2007, said it aims to create up to 600 new stores this fiscal year.

Source: Gamesindustry.biz [http://www.geekpulp.co.nz/2008/06/22/the-gamesman-set-to-be-acquired-by-eb-games/]


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[Cousin_IT]

by create do they mean create or just buy up pre existing ones?

 

[smallharmlesskitten]

probably actually make them

CURSE YOU EB GAMES AND YOUR SHITTYNESS

 

[Lvl 64 Klutz]

GameStop is quickly turning into the EA of gaming retail... they must be stopped!

 

[Galduke]

I've never had any problems with Gamestop besides being asked to preorder everything coming out within the next 2 years, and they often have sales on lower profile/under sold titles like Phoenix Wright ($10) and MHF2 ($20). Unless the New Zealand chain catered towards collectors more (having standards for used games, keeping rarities in stock, finding gems on request, etc.) I can't imagine anyone getting hurt by this other than a nationalist's pride. Still, it always sucks when your old game store is replaced by a megachain.

 

[Miral]

I used to shop at the Gamesman (although only the online shop -- I didn't even know they had any retail stores), although now I tend to use GPStore instead (who definitely appear to be getting inspiration from Amazon, but otherwise seem to be an Australasia-only group).

 

[Melaisis]

See, in England, we have this thing called 'Play.com Play & Trade'...

Seriously, how did GameStop get so big? Especially considering we're on the edge of recession.

 

[stompy]

Seriously, how did GameStop get so big? Especially considering we're on the edge of recession.

Supposedly, the gaming market isn't being hit by the recession. It's most likely that gamers still fork out the cash for their addiction, in spite of needing to pay the bills and other expensive stuff.

That, or your market is falling and our market is rising, seeing as how we have to fork over an arm and a leg for a game ($120!! Grr).

..Sorry, bad day...