Game’s underlying pre-tax profit rocketed 67 per cent to £126.2m in the 53 weeks to January 31, although present trade has slowed.
In what was a record year in terms of sales and profits, group like-for-likes grew 8.8 per cent, with group sales soaring 32.2 per cent to £1.97bn.
The retailer said that present trade is ahead of expectations, even though it has slowed. In the 11 weeks to April 18, group like-for-likes dropped 6.3 per cent, against an 18 per cent rise last year. Total sales climbed 1 per cent. In the 53-week period, group gross margin improved by 140 basis points.
UK and Ireland like-for-likes rose 10.7 per cent with total sales increasing 25.7 per cent. International like-for-likes climbed 4.6 per cent with total sales up 50.6 per cent. E-commerce total sales jumped 85 per cent.
Chief executive Lisa Morgan said: “We have seen the games market expand to record levels. Console ownership continues to grow and innovative products continue to attract new customers and we are confident about our prospects.”
Singer Capital Markets analyst Matthew McEachran said: “Game has once again delivered a strong set of results, ahead of expectations. January 10 consensus estimates a decline in profits to £107m as demand slows and discounting increases. This is likely to continue until the next generation of consoles are released.”
Game, which has 690 UK stores and 650 international stores, will open a further 70 to 80 this year.
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