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| Type | Public (LSE: GMG) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK |
| Key people | Peter Lewis, Chairman Lisa Morgan, CEO |
| Industry | Video games |
| Products | Game Consoles Video games Accessories |
| Revenue | £1,491.9 million (2008) |
| Operating income | £75.2 million (2008) |
| Net income | £47.2 million (2008) |
| Subsidiaries | Gamestation, Gameplay GB ltd |
| Website | www.game.co.uk www.game.se |
The Game Group plc (LSE: GMG) (usually known by its high street trading name Game and stylised as GAME) is a British video games retail company. Its flagship store is in Oxford Street in London. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.
Contents |
The company was founded by Bev Ripley and Terry Norris as Rhino Group in 1991.[1]
In 1995, the gaming retailer Electronics Boutique acquired 25% of the Company, the name of which was changed to Electronics Boutique Limited under license from the US business.[2]
In 1999 Electronics Boutique Limited purchased a chain of retail outlets known as Game from which the current name of the Company was derived.[3]
Electronics Boutique Limited went on to purchase the BarrysWorld online gaming service in 2001,[4] the French retailer ScoreGames in 2001 [5] and the Spanish retailer Centro Mail also in 2001.[6]
In 2002, Electronics Boutique stores in the UK and Ireland were rebranded as Game, and the Company name was changed to The Game Group. Despite the name change, a 1% sales royalty to Electronics Boutique in the United States continued to be paid until January 2006. Attempts to have this overturned in court in 2003 were unsuccessful.[7]
In July 2004 the GAME group acquired Gameplay (GB) Limited, online and mail order retailer of video games, computer software and associated products[8]. Gameplay (GB) Ltd now also trades as GAME.co.uk, the group's main online arm in the UK[9].
In May 2007 the Company announced the acquisition of rival UK specialist video game chain Gamestation for £74 million. The Company stated that they intended retaining the brand.[10]
In 2006, Game acquired Australian speciality video games retailer Gameswizards and have since rebranded all Gameswizards outlets as Game stores.[11]
As of 2009, stores sell games for Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PC, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and PSP consoles. A few stores continue to sell games for the discontinued Gamecube and original Xbox consoles. Games are also sold under a 'preowned' label, where a customer has returned a used game for cash or credit. US retailer GameStop has proven this business strategy beneficial, generating an estimated $2 billion revenue in fiscal year 2008-09.[12]
The company had over 1,349 stores worldwide as at 1 April 2008. The most recent store opening being in Silverburn centre in Pollok, Glasgow. [13]
In the UK the group continues to trade on the high street as both GAME and Gamestation. The company plans to maintain and grow Gamestation as a separate brand[14], as its image is that of a store for "gamers".[15].
Online operations within the UK are GAME.co.uk, directed at the general consumer, as well Gamestation.co.uk and Gameplay.co.uk for more "dedicated gamers"[16]. All 3 websites are managed by Gameplay (GB) ltd. and follow a similar pricing structure, however maintain a very different corporate identity.
Game currently has operations in ten European countries plus Australia.[17]
Game operates a loyalty card scheme (the Game Reward Card) whereby members earn points when they purchase items in stores or online. [18]
Game awards 10 points for every £1 spent in store or online.[19] Every 1000 points earned, allows the member a discount of £2.50 on any console, accessory or game, but not gift cards or downloads.[20]
| Type | Public (LSE: GMG) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK |
| Key people |
Peter Lewis, Chairman Ian Shepherd, CEO |
| Products |
Game Consoles Video games Accessories |
| Revenue | £1,971.9 million (2009)[1] |
| Operating income | £126.5 million (2009)[1] |
| Net income | £85.4 million (2009)[1] |
| Subsidiaries | Gamestation, Gameplay GB ltd |
| Website |
www.game.co.uk www.game.com.au www.game.se www.game.no www.game.dk www.game.es |
The Game Group plc (LSE: GMG) (usually known by its high street trading name Game and stylised as GAME) is a British video games retail company. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE SmallCap Index.
Contents |
The company was founded by Bev Ripley and Terry Norris as Rhino Group in 1991.[2] In 1993 the company acquired Virgin Games increasing the total number of stores to 77.[3]
In 1995, the gaming retailer Electronics Boutique acquired 25% of the Company, the name of which was changed to Electronics Boutique Limited under license from the US business.[4]
In 1999 Electronics Boutique Limited purchased a chain of retail outlets known as Game from which the current name of the Company was derived for £99 million.[5] Game which at the time had 86 stores was originally established in 1990 by Peter Wickins and Neil Taylor.[6]
Electronics Boutique Limited went on to purchase the BarrysWorld online gaming service in 2001,[7] the French retailer ScoreGames in 2001 [8] and the Spanish retailer Centro Mail also in 2001.[9]
In 2002, Electronics Boutique stores in the UK and Ireland were rebranded as Game, and the Company name was changed to The Game Group. Despite the name change, a 1% sales royalty to Electronics Boutique in the United States continued to be paid until January 2006. Attempts to have this overturned in court in 2003 were unsuccessful.[10]
In July 2004 the GAME group acquired Gameplay (GB) Limited, online and mail order retailer of video games, computer software and associated products[11]. Gameplay (GB) Ltd now also trades as GAME.co.uk, the group's main online arm in the UK[12].
In September 2006, Game acquired Australian speciality video games retailer Gameswizards and have since rebranded all Gameswizards outlets as Game stores.[13]
In May 2007 the Company announced the acquisition of rival UK specialist video game chain Gamestation for £74 million. The Company stated that they intended to retain the brand.[14]
As of 2009, stores sell games for Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PC, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and PSP consoles. A few stores continue to sell games for the discontinued Gamecube and original Xbox consoles. Games are also sold under a 'preowned' label, where a customer has returned a used game for cash or credit. US retailer GameStop has proven this business strategy beneficial, generating an estimated $3 billion revenue in fiscal year 2008-09.[15]
The company had over 1,367 stores worldwide as of 29 April 2010[update].[16] The most recent store opening being in the Czech Republic.
In the UK the group continues to trade on the high street as both GAME and Gamestation. The company plans to maintain and grow Gamestation as a separate brand[17], as its image is that of a store for "gamers".[18].
Online operations within the UK are GAME.co.uk, directed at the general consumer, as well Gamestation.co.uk and Gameplay.co.uk for more "dedicated gamers"[19]. All 3 websites are managed by Gameplay (GB) ltd. and follow a similar pricing structure, however maintain a very different corporate identity.
Game currently has operations in ten European countries including the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Portugal Spain, Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and France[20]. In recent years its operations have expanded in Australia.[21]. In Europe, Game is a market leader in Ireland, Spain, the Nordic Countries and the Czech Republic. While in France it is the fourth most successful gaming brand in its market[20].
On April 21, 2010 there was a management change at GAME group. Lisa Morgan stepped down as CEO to pursue other opportunities [22] and Chris Bell, former CEO of Ladbrokes, was made interim CEO.[23]
On June 17, 2010 it was announced that a new CEO had been appointed by the name of Ian Shepherd,[24] who joined on the company on 28 June.
Game operates a loyalty card scheme (the Game Reward Card) whereby members earn points when they purchase items in stores or online.[25]
Game awards 10 points for every £1 spent in store or online.[26] Every 1000 points earned, allows the member a discount of £2.50 on any console, accessory or game, but not gift cards or downloads.[27]
It also allows customers to earn double points on accessories, software and consoles pre-ordered in store.
   | GMG.L - THE GAME GROUP Share Price | GMG.L - Yahoo! Finance UK |
| | GAME web site - GAME.co.uk - Buy video games, consoles and accessories with free UK delivery - GAME.co.uk |
| | GAME buys Gamestation for £74 million - IGN: GAME buys Gamestation for ¿74 million |
| | Australian GAME site - Welcome to GAME - The Next Level |
| | GAME web site - GAME.co.uk - Buy video games, consoles and accessories with free UK delivery - GAME.co.uk |
| | Gamestation website - Gamestation.co.uk - Buy video games, consoles and accessories, new and pre-owned with free UK delivery |
| | Gameplay website - Gameplay » Buy Cheap Video Games and Consoles + Free UK Delivery |
| | Gamestop used games revenue to be $2bn - GameStop used games revenue estimated to be $2 billion |
| | GAME Annual Report 2008 - Game Group plc | Annual Report and Accounts 2007-2008 |
| | Electronic Boutique - Electronic Boutique | Business | The Guardian |
| | Electronic Boutique buys BarrysWorld - Electronics Boutique buys Barrysworld - ZDNet.co.uk |
| | Games Wizards sold to UK company - Games Wizards sold to UK company - Games |
| | www.game.se - GAME.se - Köp spel, konsoller och tillbehör med fri frakt! |
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