Game eyes HMV, Blockbuster and Jessops stores as it aims to grow share

Game chief executive Martyn Gibbs said he is in discussions with the administrators of the collapsed chains about taking on stores.

“We’re constantly reviewing our store portfolio, and where there are opportunities with HMV, Jessops and Blockbuster we’ll look at them,” said Gibbs.

While Gibbs said it was too early to say if Game would see any benefit from the collapse of rival HMV or the planned closure of Play.com’s retail business next month, he said the retailer would aim to grow its 30% market share by investing in its digital offer and opening stores.

“We’re very well set with our digital framework,” said Gibbs, who highlighted recent initiatives such as selling PC downloads in store.

The games retailer, acquired out of administration last April by investment firm OpCapita, outperformed against its targets over Christmas and is “on track” to deliver its goal of achieving £20m EBITDA in the company’s first year of trading, according to Gibbs. “We came out in very good shape,” he said.

Gibbs insisted OpCapita remained supportive of the games specialist, despite the investment firm coming under fire for the administration of Comet in November.

He said that under OpCapita’s ownership, transformations have been completed quickly, such as the rebranding of all Gamestation stores to Game and the launch of the retailer’s new App-based loyalty scheme. “There’s not been anything that I have tabled that hasn’t been passed,” said Gibbs.

He added there is still a place for a games specialist on the high street and predicted that there is a market uptick “on the horizon”.

The retailer is also launching digital and in-store events through its partnership with global online video games media brand IGN. The retailer will encourage gamers to get together online and in store to discuss big releases and hear from special guests in the industry.

Game is also rolling out its latest store design, featuring tills at the back of store to improve the flow of shoppers as well as digital bays and ‘challenge arenas’ to encourage shoppers to play games in store. Game has already revamped 180 of its 330 shops in the last 18 months.