Supermarkets lose game market share to specialists and online retail

The game revenue share held by supermarkets decreased in 2014.

Last year, supermarkets took a 25.8 per cent share of the UK games software market by value, down on the 29.7 per cent recorded in 2013. This is according to the latest data from Chart-Track and published by the Entertainment Retailer’s Association.

The result follows a decrease in shelf space given to video games by certain supermarkets. It’s also important to consider that supermarkets sold software – on average – at a lower price than competitor sectors, which will have had an impact on its market share.

However, it was good news for High Street retail and online stores.

Argos, GAME and HMV saw their share reach 42.4 per cent, up from 41.1 per cent in 2013. Meanwhile, home delivery – which includes the likes of Amazon – saw market share increase to 31.7 per cent, up from 29.2 per cent the year prior.