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Zavvi: ‘We're bigger than GAME’

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Zavvi: ‘We're bigger than GAME’

Entertainment retailer ‘stunned by video game success’; ‘Games could eclipse DVD in a year’ claims CEO

High Street chain Zavvi celebrates its first birthday this week, and the firm has told MCV that its video game offering now rivals the range available at GAME.

Video games account for 30 per cent of Zavvi’s business, putting it ahead of music in terms of sales, and CEO Simon Douglas feels that games could even overtake DVDs within a year.

“DVD still leads the way but games are catching up quickly,” he told MCV. “It is possible that games will eclipse DVD in a year, although if Blu-Ray progresses as the industry expects, then it’s maybe difficult for games to catch DVD in total. But it’s a nice battle to have to worry about.”

Douglas has also reported that he was shocked by Zavvi’s video game performance, and that the firm is looking to expand even further.

“We communicated to MCV a while ago that we were looking to grow our gaming space, and we’ve delivered that, and now the growth has been nothing short of phenomenal,” he continued. “We’re absolutely delighted and even a little bit stunned by our performance.

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“I’d like to think that we are becoming a games specialist, especially if your look at our space and our catalogue. If you compare some of our stores to a GAME, then we have a bigger range.

“Of course not all our staff are dedicated to games, but if you went to a lot of our stores now, a big proportion of our staff are purely selling games. If GAME is the video game specialist, then I like to think that our games offer is a specialist offer.”

Zavvi revealed in its first annual report that the group has increased like-for-like sales by ten per cent, and is now exploring digital downloads.

Tags: game, zavvi

Must be bold statement week.

posted by koti Sep 19, 2008 at 11:20 am
1

I think I'll wait until after a few glasses of wine on Sunday afternoon before I make mine.

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Re: Must be bold statement week.

posted by Sep 19, 2008 at 11:56 am
2

I can't remember the last time I bought something from game - they've probably been one of the most expensive retailers on the high street for some time

The pre-order prices at Zavii are some of the cheapest around (in particular Little Big Planet).

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Re: Must be bold statement week.

posted by BC Sep 19, 2008 at 11:56 am
3
BC

So with games already spanking music in sales does that mean:

Zavvi > Game > The Beetles > Jesus

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Re: Re: Must be bold statement week.

posted by Sep 19, 2008 at 12:15 pm
4

@2:
Your not a Zavvi Employee plugging the pre-order campaign are you???

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Re: Re: Re: Must be bold statement week.

posted by Rich Sep 19, 2008 at 4:32 pm
5
Rich

@4:
he/she might be, but I'm on their mailing list and there really are some very good pre-order prices at Zavvi...

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Must be bold statement week.

posted by Sep 19, 2008 at 7:21 pm
6

Gears of War 2 LTD Edition plus Exclusive Gold Full size replica lancer. £20 Pre-Order at Gamestation.

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Must be bold statement week.

posted by chillisteak Sep 19, 2008 at 7:52 pm
7
chillisteak

thats just a £20 deposit! which to be honest i think is wrong.
all pre-orders should be free.
only obligation a customer should be under is to change they mind if they want.
at the end of the day the retailer will sell the item even if the customer decides they don't want it, and if they don't sell it they send it back to the supplier for discount.

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@Chillisteak

posted by Bob Sep 19, 2008 at 11:39 pm
8
Bob

Which suppliers offer Sale or Return in this industry?

I would like to do business with them.

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Re: @Chillisteak

posted by Xavi Sep 20, 2008 at 9:37 am
9
Xavi

Zavvi has a better selection of games than GAME???? Now don't get me wrong, I don't shop regular in either retailer but it would strike me that with all the pre-owned titles and their committment to order all new releases on all formats then they must have a much larger product catalogue than Zavvi!!??

Mr Zavvi should stop blowing smoke up his ass and get his facts right

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Re: Re: @Chillisteak

posted by jimgoon Sep 20, 2008 at 7:12 pm
10

thank you mr zavvi,i had a bad dy at work, i needed a good laugh!!...

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We're bigger than Game

posted by Geordie in Exile Sep 22, 2008 at 12:52 pm
11
Geordie in Exile

Only as a scrabble score - who are they trying to kid

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Re: We're bigger than Game

posted by Might work for Zavvi Sep 23, 2008 at 8:48 pm
12
Might work for Zavvi

His words would ring true if ALL the stores, not just the big ones, had a decent games section. The store I work in has bugger all space for games, and then we only stock the chart titles and the same again for range. Specialist would mean having a decent range for all formats, not just bloody wii.

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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

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