Entertainment retailer Choices UK has announced improved interim results - with games contributing strongly to the company's turnaround.

For the 28 weeks ending February 10th, the retail group enjoyed a significant increase in sales, up to £86.1m from £78m, while losses dropped to £265,000 from £2.9m a year ago.

As part of the rejuvination of the group, Choices UK has closed 31 loss-making and non-trading stores during the period. A further 29 marginal or unprofitable sites have now been earmarked for disposal, leaving the chain with a healthy 162 outlets.

And the turnaround looks set to continue, according to the City-listed retailer, with games key to this process.

"As part of the strategy for our stores we have rationalised the product range, discontinuing mobile phones, portable electronic goods and a range of impulse lines," said a company statement. "This has enabled a renewed focus on our core ranges where we have substantially increased our offering of games hardware and software, as well as revamping our DVD and sell-thru sections to ensure strong value messages throughout the stores.

"The move to extend the games offering is benefiting the business greatly, and we are encouraged to have achieved a 6.5 per cent market share of the recent PlayStation 3 launch."