Independent retailers say they will struggle to stock new games when the VAT rise comes into effect next year. The already troubled indie sector says it will have to fight harder against High Street chains and supermarkets in order to break even or make a profit from the latest releases. …
Read More »VAT rising to 20%
Shortly after confirming that it is to do away with tax breaks for the UK video games industry, Chancellor George Osborne has confirmed that Value Added Tax will rise to 20 per cent from January 4th 2011. Though there’s a good chance that the ticket price of video games on …
Read More »Games got cheaper in 2009
The average sale price of a video game in the UK fell last year compared to 2008, new data from the ERA shows. The overall average price of a game in 2009 was 21.34, down from 22.99 in 2008. In addition, supermarkets may be the largest growing games retailers in …
Read More »Online retail explodes over Xmas
The Christmas break may be a time to focus on family and loved ones, but it now seems that it has become the prime opportunity for online shopping – and Xmas 2009 looks to have been the most successful yet. The Retail Bulletin reports that number from the Interactive Media …
Read More »Arcade hike due to currency fluctuations
Alongside this morning’s confirmation that the Xbox 360 Elite is dropping by 30, Microsoft has also confirmed a 30 price rise for the Arcade SKU – a decision brought about by the fluctuating value of sterling, according to Chris Lewis, European VP of the firm’s interactive entertainment business. We are …
Read More »Confusion over 360 price changes
With the industry bracing itself for an RRP drop for the top-end Xbox 360 Elite SKU this week, it now looks as if the entry-level Arcade hardware could be in for a price increase. At the end of last week it seemed that all the evidence was pointing to an …
Read More »Tesco wants VAT increase delay
Supermarket giant Tesco has called on the Government to delay a rise in VAT scheduled for January 1st, according to this report on the Daily Telegraph. Set to increase from 15 per cent to 17.5 per cent, VAT was cut in November in a move to combat the recession. Many …
Read More »EA: No Xmas price rises from us
Publishing giant EA insists it will not follow Activision’s lead in raising the SRP of its biggest titles this Q4. A company spokesperson told MCV: There has been no change in our trade pricing policy and there will be no change in RRP.” Meanwhile, one UK boss of a top …
Read More ȣ54.99 Modern Warfare 2 to lead Xmas price hike
Consumers will pay more than expected for new game releases this Q4, as the weak pound and record development costs force publishers to increase trade prices. Activision has confirmed that the eagerly-awaited Modern Warfare 2 will carry a hefty RRP of 54.99 – and retailers have been warned that other …
Read More »Pre-owned purchases at all time high
Whilst the ‘green shoots’ of economic recovery continue to fight their way through to the sunlight, the effects of the global recession are making their presence felt on the shopping habits of gamers, according to new research from Nielsen. The report claims that used game purchasing is at all-time highs …
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