US giant could invade UK if GAME deal for Gamestation is reversed
After the Office of Fair Trading referred GAME’s £74 million deal for bitter rival Gamestation to the Competition Commission, GameStop has re-emerged as a potential player in the UK.
“It is a completed deal, so ultimately we can turn around and reverse the whole thing,” said Competition Commission spokesperson Rory Taylor.
“It would mean that GAME would have to sell Gamestation lock, stock and barrel to a competing retailer.”
And GAME would have little choice but to accept if potential rival GameStop made a bid, added Taylor: “The company handles the sale itself, but the buyer has to be approved by the Competition Commission as a viable competitor. If they don’t find a buyer themselves, after a certain time an independent trustee can be appointed to carry out the sale for them.”
But while the 217-store deal could end up being scrapped, one major publisher boss told MCV that they would not support a fresh move into the UK by GameStop. “I think the GAME deal should go through; it will bring stability to the industry, as Gamestation didn't have strong support from Blockbuster,” he told MCV.
Meanwhile a defiant GAME has told MCV that while it is disappointed with the decision, it still plans to forge ahead with its expansion plans for Europe and further afield.
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“We remain confident, and are not contemplating that the deal won’t be cleared,” said a spokesperson. “We have always been very clear about our international growth strategy, and this has not changed. We are focused on integrating our recent acquisitions, coupled with organic growth, in both Europe and Australia.”
I think there is a definite point to the fact there is only one major computer games retailer now... GAME.
This can only be a good thing for the retail games industry and customers in this country, Game would have totally monopolised the gaming market imposing there own deals and through sheer number of outlets, getting preferential treatment and discount from suppliers, Game have already turned the market into current gen only stores, they have shunned the retro side of gaming and are bleeding customers dry with their pathetic trade in prices.
It has long being known they do not like the trade in side of the gaming industry, one of the reasons for buying Gamestation, to devalue the trade in worth of customers games and consoles, together with their obvious fear of competition from a new retailer i.e Gamestop buying into the uk market.
Gamestation before the Blockbuster buy, provided serios competition to Game, however after the sale by Julian Gladwin and Steve Hall Blockbuster lost the plot totally with regard to how to run this thriving company, appointments came in who thought they new how to make names for thereselves, and are now wondering whether their jobs are safe, or have already left the once unique games company.
For me the commision should revoke this sale and let Game have some competition again, too many sectors of this country's retail market are dominated by 1 or 2 high profile company groups, we need more competition, look how supermarkets have closed so many traders, surely this should stop and lets give the paying public the choice again , good friendly service or the bland non caring service of a greedy high street chain.
Gamestop may yet re-create the Gamestation of old where the customer came first , not the profits.
It can only be bad news when a company such as Game by way of a purchase of their competitor Game Station are actively trying to get rid of the pre owned market place which
Gamestation had always supported. I cannot understand their rational as accepting pre-owned in part exchange will in it self generate new sales. But what do I know I have a vested interested at Scratch Busters in restoring damaged software
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MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by Intent Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets
