GAME confirms 46 job losses from Basingstoke HQ

Retail chain GAME has confirmed that it is to cut 46 jobs from its Basingstoke HQ, MCV can reveal.

It comes as part of an internal restructure designed to expand upon GAME’s multi-channel offer and allow it to better to respond to the current video games market”.

Current commercial strategy director Tricia Brennan is to become chief commercial officer while UK MD Tom Devine becomes channel director. Both changes have come into effect immediately.

Meanwhile, Dave Hughes will be leaving the retailer in March. Most recently he was involved with the re-launch of GAME.co.uk.

In total the job cuts represent approximately ten per cent of the total Basingstoke workforce.

The proposed restructure will result in around 46 fewer roles at our central support centre in Basingstoke,” a spokesperson confirmed. Our proposed new structure will change the way that we operate and will enable us to be significantly more efficient in our relationships with suppliers and customers.

We are giving our full help and support to the colleagues who are affected by these proposed changes.”

Last week it emerged that GAME was forced to enter into individual agreements with publishers after its credit insurance hit problems, affecting its ability to buy new stock.

The Group has also put its international business up for sale, with a deadline of this Friday for offers.

However, on Friday the retailer announced that it has reached a new agreement with lenders that altered the conditions of credit facilities and ensure its near-term future.

These developments arrived on the back of a torrid Christmas that saw sales fall 17.6 per cent year-on-year.

MCV has publicly backed the retailer and stressed its importance to the health of both the UK and international games industry – a point proved by EA boss John Riccitiello when he admitted that the potential collapse of GAME would hurt the publishing giant.