GAME once had hundreds of standalone stores across the country but the move to online has seen that number plunge
High street chain GAME is set to close its last remaining standalone stores after raking up heavy losses.
The move comes after the computer games retailer, which once boasted hundreds of branches across the country, signalled it was putting administrators on standby late last month.
It would mark the second time GAME has entered administration. The business collapsed in 2012, resulting in the closure of 277 stores and over 2,000 job losses.
GAME was founded in 1990 and boomed in the back of soaring computer consoles and physical games. But by 2019 it was struggling and agreed a £52million takeover by billionaire Mike Ashley’s then Sports Direct, which later become Frasers Group.
In 2020, GAME announced plans to shut 40 stores. It was also reported in August last year that another five branches were going.
It is understood the retailer has just three standalone stores remaining and that these will now close too. They are believed to include its branch in the Merry Hill shopping centre in the West Midlands. A sign stuck to the window of the shop on the ground floor of the mall read on January 31: “GAME. This store will be closing in APRIL 2026. Please shop online at www.game.co.uk.”
While the standalone stores look set to close, GAME concessions will remain in hundreds of Frasers’ owned stores, including Sports Direct and Frasers department stores, as well as its website.
Recent reports said GAME has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators through law firm RPC. This signals a company is preparing to enter administration and provides a temporary legal freeze that stops creditors from taking legal action for 10 days.
Latest accounts for GAME Retail Limited for the year to April 2024 showed it fell from an £8.5million profit to a near £2.5million loss.
The expected loss stores comes as number of other high street businesses have announced closures.
Next is buying the shoe shop chain Russell & Bromley’s brand and intellectual property after the luxury firm collapsed into administration.
But the deal did not include all of its shops. Next said it would only purchase three out of 36 Russell & Bromley stores – its Bluewater, Chelsea, and Mayfair sites.
Meanwhile, there are fears for 1,000 jobs at street fashion chain Quiz which is on the brink of collapse. The womenswear retailer blamed tough trading and soaring costs.
