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The number of physical stores selling video games jumped up in 2015.
6,609 stores sold games in the UK last year, a rise of 1,337 over 2014. The data comes via GfK and retail trade body ERA.
Every store type increased last year, including electrical chains (up by three stores), music and video specialists (increased by 21), game specialists (up by eight) and general multiples (increased by 98). However, the biggest growth area was in the supermarket sector, with more then 1,200 new grocery outlets selling games.
The growth is impressive, but there’s still a long way to go in matching the video and CD markets. There are 14,727 physical stores selling music, while a further 14,852 DVD sellers (according to ERA, Millward Brown and Official Charts Company).
These are astonishing numbers,” said ERA CEO Kim Bayley.
Conventional wisdom has always suggested that the internet spelled the end for physical entertainment stores, but these numbers show that traditional retail still has a place, particularly for impulse purchases and gifts. After all, you can’t gift-wrap a download or a stream.”
