MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Video games will play a major role in the future of Blockbuster UK, the retailer has told MCV. The rental firm was rescued by Gordon Brothers Europe last week. There are 264 remaining Blockbuster outlets with 2,000 employees. The firm aims to improve Blockbuster’s profitability with new products, technologies and …
Read More »Former HMV commercial boss takes over at Blockbuster
Gary Warren has been appointed managing director of the new Blockbuster UK. The firm was acquired by ‘TS 1973 Investment Holdings’ (a subsidiary of investment firm Gordon Brothers Europe) earlier today. 264 stores have been saved with 2,000 members of staff. Warren (pictured right) is best known for his role …
Read More »Blockbuster sale agreed; 264 stores and 2,000 jobs saved
Deloitte has confirmed that it has completed the sale of Blockbuster for an undisclosed sum. Buyers Gordon Brothers Europe have acquired 264 stores, saving around 2,000 jobs in the process. The Blockbuster brand license has been retained as part of the deal. Having identified a profitable core portfolio of stores …
Read More »Read the definitive guide to Q2 new releases in the latest MCV
This latest MCV–which isnow available to view online– details all of the hottest releases coming in the next few months, including The Last of Us and Remember Me. We also discuss retail’s fears for Wii U and how Nintendo plans to calm them, as well as the rise of indie …
Read More »Two bidders offer fresh hope for Blockbuster
UK retailer Blockbuster could yet be saved. The Independent reports that two restructuring firms – Gordon Brothers and GA Europe – have lodged official bids for the company with the aim of keeping it running as a going concern. However, both would look to a significantly slimmed-down operation, with further …
Read More »More store closures expected at Blockbuster
Administrator Deloitte has confirmed to MCV that there will be further closures at Blockbuser stores UK. MCV contacted the firm after rumours suggested that all of the rental chain’s outlets would be closed by the end of March, but Deloitte stated that this was not the case. Instead, planned stores …
Read More »Morrisons acquires 49 Blockbuster stores
Supermarket chain Morrisons will acquire 49 stores from troubled retailer Blockbuster, it has been confirmed. It will use the new locations to widen its network of Morrisons Local stores, creating around 1,000 jobs in the process. The first outlets are expected to open in the summer, the bulk of which …
Read More »Blockbuster administrator: "We are fighting in the trenches"
The lead administrator at Blockbuster has issues a grave warning to workers at the retailer. Lee Manning told The Telegraph that 160 Blockbuster stores are likely to close in the near future, threatening 1,000 jobs. Blockbuster operated over 500 stores in the UK although over 100 have closed since administration …
Read More »New Metal Gear game is 2013’s ‘first blockbuster’
EA and Sega may say otherwise, but Konami reckons Metal Gear Rising is the first blockbuster of 2013. The action game launches after Dead Space 3 and Aliens: Colonial Marines. But Konami has huge faith in the title. It’s even backing the game with its biggest campaign for a long …
Read More »Blockbuster UK embroiled in tax outcry
As if things weren’t bad enough for in-administration Blockbuster UK, a newspaper investigation has landed the company in even hotter water. The Guardian reports that over a 15-year period the company has paid less than 250k in corporation tax despite sales of over 3.5bn and profits of 37m in the …
Read More »