MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
The entertainment giant underperformed in the video games market last year, but in the wake of GAME’s administration it has become one of our sector’s most important retailers. In his first interview as HMV’s new technology and games boss, Ewan Pinder tells MCV what he’s doing to claw back market …
Read More »HMV ramps up games marketing "to attract former GAME customers"
A video games themed in-store marketing campaign will kick off at entertainment retailer HMV later this month. There is an opportunity from a price and promotional perspective,” marketing and ecommerce director Mark Hodgkinson told Marketing Week. [There is] also a long-term opportunity to attract and keep hold of former GAME …
Read More »New game sales ‘more than double’ at HMV
HMV says its market share on new games has more than doubled. The firm is now getting the support it needs from suppliers. And as a result the latest blockbusters – namely products not stocked by GAME – have been flying off its shelves. But far from feeling triumphant, HMV’s …
Read More »Former Tesco man Mike Fethers joins HMV
Mike Fethers has joined HMV’s games team as its games peripherals and digital buyer. His previous roles include games peripherals buyer for Tesco. He replaces Gavin Howes who recently left HMV to accept a role at Carphone Warehouse. "I’m delighted to welcome Miketo HMV, not just for thegreat experienceand fresh …
Read More »HMV exits Channel Islands and returns to UK
HMV will close its Guernsey warehouse and now run its website from the UK. It follows the end of Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR), which has allowed online retailers to sell goods tax-free into the UK. As of April 1st, there will be no tax advantage to having a warehouse …
Read More »GAME rivals: ‘We will fill the gap’
Rival retailers say they are ready to step up as the credit crisis at GAME Group deepens. But these competitors are not celebrating, with leading outlets fearful of what the loss of their ‘gold-standard market leader’ will mean for the future of UK games retail. Retailers such as ShopTo have …
Read More »REPORT: HMV denies "receiving extra EA support" amidst GAME crisis
There is a sad truth to the seemingly inevitable demise of GAME Group – it’s potentially good news for other video game retailers, in the short term at least. But more than simply picking up GAME’s lost sales on key titles such as Mass Effect 3 and Street Fighter X …
Read More »FEATURE: Games distribution special
You’d think distribution would be a less exciting part of the games industry, but you’d be wrong. As its life is so deeply rooted with physical retail, the sector faces just as many ups and downs as the High Street. If it’s not the threat of new competitors emerging and …
Read More »GAME and HMV hold supplier crunch talks
Troubled retailers GAME and HMV have held crucial talks with its major suppliers. HMV invited its key games partners to its offices earlier in the month in order to discuss how they can better support the struggling entertainment giant. The event was an intimate affair, which publishers in the room …
Read More »INTERVIEW: Do video games have a future at HMV?
Yes, says CEO Simon Fox, but there will be sacrifices. Christopher Dring visits HMV’s offices to find out how its attitude towards gaming has changed. Video game suppliers let HMV down. In a year where the retailer desperately needed their help, games publishers offered little in 2011. Exclusive deals and …
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