US retail giant attempts to shoot down MCV report
GameStop has denied an MCV report that claimed the company was in the process of tabling a bid for Woolworths’ stores.
The news comes after a highly-placed source informed MCV that the company was interested in buying around half of Woolworths’ oustanding 800 outlets from administrator Deloitte.
If GameStop was to buy 400 stores in the UK, it would immediately offer a challenge to GAME as the territory's dominant specialist retailer.
Our source told us: “GAME frustrated GameStop when it bought Gamestation. Bosses at GameStop had pretty much given up on launching a UK assault – but now, thanks to Woolies, that door is open again. They’re up against other bidders, but they’ll fight tooth and nail.”
GameStop did not comment when initially approached by MCV, and remained silent until Friday afternoon – by which time the news had spread to the likes of The Guardian and Reuters.
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A Gamestop rep then claimed in a statement:
"GameStop Corp has made no bid for stores being sold by the administrator of British retail chain Woolworths.”
More on this when we get it.
Comments
If I were GameStop.
I'd be monitoring who is most likely to take over the company and doing a deal for branded concession floorspace.
Takes some of the burden and risk out of any deal that's done with the administrator and Kablamo - instant national presence in UK in prime locations and none of the rubbish ones - probably.
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