NORWAY: GameStop snaps up 49 stores

Nordic gamers will have 49 new GameStop stores to peruse after today’s acquisition deal for Norwegian chain Free Record.

All Free Record outlest will be re-branded as GameStop, bringing the US retailer’s store count in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland up to 160. The transaction is ecpected to close in early April.

We are pleased to have worked with Hans Breukhoven and his entire management team at Free Record Shop to complete this acquisition,” said chairman and chief executive officer of GameStop R. Richard Fontaine.

We look forward to expanding our productive business model in the Norwegian market and partnering with the knowledgeable and energetic store personnel at Free Record Shop. This transaction is another step in our strategy of bringing move video game stores to growth markets around the world.”

Hans Breukhoven, chief executive officer of Free Record Shop Holding, added: Free Record Shop is very satisfied with this agreement and the excellent opportunity that this sale presents us to make further investments to expand and establish our retail position in the Benelux. Besides that we are very pleased that our esteemed sales staff found employment in the GameStop organization and can help them with their planned growth.”