GameStop promises new Euro growth

GameStop’s International VP Mike Mauler said the chain will grow and improve its mainland European storebase over the next 12 months.

During a call to investors last week, the firm said performance of European stores was up year-on-year, as part of an overall modest International sales increase of 0.4 per cent.

Mauler wants to improve on this. He plans to beef up the services in mature markets, rolling out in-store DLC offers to three more countries after their success in France. GameStop will also expand in markets with growth potential such as Italy and Germany, and potentially restructure or close stores in underperforming markets.

He told MCV: The more mature markets for us are very profitable but there we will focus on best practices and new services.

High-potential markets like Italy and Germany will see continued, controlled investment in new stores, but we see strong markets there. The struggling markets we will stay in but we will focus on driving down costs.”

The games retail chain currently has 113 stores internationally.