Retail

GAME Group chairman Peter Lewis is remaining positive despite a year and Christmas of decline at the retailer. "Against the backdrop of a difficult year for the PC and video games market in 20101, we saw encouraging signs that customers are still looking for exciting products at reasonable prices," he …

The GAME Group has reported a total sales decline of 12.3 per cent for the 49 weeks ending January 8th in the UK and Ireland. On a like-for-like basis the UK drops hit 9.7 per cent. The Christmas period was more successful for the chain, however, with UK and Ireland …

HMV has made a number of key changes to its Head Office team. The moves are designed to boost the firm’s online and digital business, as well as grow new categories such as technology. Commercial director Steve Napleton (pictured right) will now focus exclusively on developing the retailer’s e-commerce, digital …

UK distributor Gem has filled another key position as Philip Munro joins its ranks. Munro has been named as business development manager for non-home entertainment categories. His appointment is the latest part of Gem’s new vision, as the firm vies to expand its operations and seize a larger share of …

Sanjib Dosanjh is Asda’s new category director for music, video and games. He takes the role from Fergal Gara. Gara has now moved into the new role of development director for home and leisure, with a brief to develop the grocer’s non-food business across Asda’s entire portfolio. This includes Asda …

The popularity of Blizzard’s MMO World of Warcraft shows no signs of abating with news that the latest expansion for the title has broken another record in the PC market. The developer has revealed that WoW: Cataclysm sold an amazing 4.7m units worldwide in its first month of release – …

Retailers have adjusted the price of games following the VAT rise. With margins already tight, stores have passed on the increase to customers to maintain profit. GAME, Gamestation, HMV and Argos are among the High Street retailers which have raised prices, while online firms Amazon, Play and ShopTo have also added …

Nintendo DS was the UK’s biggest selling games device of 2010, MCV understands. Although sales decreased year-on-year, combined sales of DSi, DSi XL and DS Lite just outstripped 360 by just over 50,000 units, according to our retail sources. Since going on sale in 2004 DS has become the most …

Global games retail giant GameStop has reported a 3.4 per cent like-for-like sales boost for the nine weeks ending January 1st. Overall the retailer saw 5.4 per cent growth compared to Christmas 2009. Revenues for the period hit $3.02bn. Hardware sales were up 7.4 per cent year-on-year with Microsoft’s Xbox …

Retailer HMV has vowed to do all it can to protect the jobs of those who will be affected by the 60 store closures announced yesterday. The company will close the outlets – which includes the closure of 20 Warterstones stores – by the end of the year. "We will …