Gamestation: Were still our own boss

One year on after it was snapped up by former rival GAME, Gamestation’s managing director Martyn Gibbs has told MCV that the retailer has retained its autonomy – and is looking forward to expanding its presence further.

While there were initial fears that the high profile deal would bring about a consolidation of Gamestation’s staff and store base, Gibbs remains confident that the chain is in the right hands.

We continue to run our business with as much, if not more, autonomy than ever,” said Gibbs. We own the strategy of the business and this has simply been strengthened over the past year.

Gamestation is now part of a games specialist retailer and as such has a parent company that understands its business fully. GAME have fully embraced the Gamestation brand and we have benefitted greatly from working with like minded people who are also passionate about retailing games. GAME has also provided us with the investment to open 30 new stores and to update our facilities for the central functions in York.”

And there are further opportunities ahead to expand under GAME’s stewardship, added Gibbs:

Gamestation have already opened 30 new stores since GAME acquired the business in May last year. Jeremy Gerken has recently taken on the newly created role of UK property director responsible for the whole UK and Eire retail estate of over 650 stores, We will work closely with Jeremy and there will be many opportunities for the Gamestation business arising from this approach going forward.

At the same time we are making considerable investing in development to expand our ecommerce offer, which we see as key to the future.”