MCV is reporting that three of GAME’s senior management have departed the company. Group Online and Digital Operations managing director Alex Croft, HR manager Malcolm Knight and the MD for the Scandinavian, Czech Republic and emerging markets regions Adolf Kristjansson have, according to the site, “reached agreement with the board that it is the right time for them to move on”.
GAME’s CEO, Ian Shepherd, confirmed the personnel changes, saying they followed a “review of the senior team.”
“We are making some structural changes to introduce a broader range of skills into the business,” Shepherd told MCV. “Each of the individuals involved has made immense contributions to GAME Group over a number of years, for which we are very grateful, and we wish them the very best in their future careers.” The changes are in addition to the departure of the former CEO, Lisa Morgan, in April.
Comments on the MCV piece suggest potential issues with having both GameStation and GAME in the same high streets and the emerging digital market.
tonycawley
I always did think it was odd how some high streets have both. Take bromley for example, it has 2 games and a gamestation. What’s the need in that? Bluewater has 2 games and no gamestation. Seems a bit odd to me.
Severn2j
Its the same in Telford and Wolverhampton as well.. 2 Games, 1 Gamestation. Bit of a waste, imo, because 9 times out of 10, I use Gamestation. BTW, aren’t they owned by the same company?
moshi
In my local shopping centre there are 2 Game and 1 Gamestation all within 5 minutes walk of each other but oddly both Game shops are always busy
cc_star
GameStation is owned by GAME
It’s the same in a most head office/branch style retailers, most noticeably with mobile phone shops, stores in different locations, like a shopping centre, high street and retail park even in the same town attract vastly different demographics.
(high streets are generally just your average rabble, shopping centres are slightly more affluent, and retail parks are the holy grail)
In good times multiple stores are easily supported, but perhaps in a falling market and with the threat of online some places can’t afford the luxury of paying rent and employing staff across multiple stores to try and appeal to these different demographics.
jimmy-google
In Norwich we have 1 gamestation and 3 games (it was 4 before boarders shut down). Apart from the there are 2 hmv’s and nowhere else to get games really.
I only go in to remind myself that online prices are cheap.
scavenga
Here in Oslo, Gamestop (EB Games) and Game are the two dedicated gaming stores that also deals with secondhand games. They both have several branches all over town.
Game never makes an attempt to meet the current prices, and I have never found a single title there that was cheaper than neither Gamestop or any other electronics goods store.
No wonder they’re going down in a tailspin in the scandinavian market, they obviously have no business skills at all.
Bilbo_bobbins
they desperately need to update their whole structure as a company. They are way overpriced and never competitive. They need a image change and the shops need some sort of make over. Not surprised by this.
bajere
very true, i dont think GAME price there products well at all!
TSBonyman
I gave up on Game several years back, restructuring could be good.
Origami Killer
in cardiff there is 2 games, 1 gamesation, 1 hmv. the gamesation is by far the best for prices. but online shopping i always go on amazon.
dont use game anymore, since they started asking for id for a 16+ game and having ridicoulsy high prices.
besidavi
To my superficial eye Game seems more glossy and aimed at those that buy games at full price because they don’t know better (parents, other gift-buyers, occasional gamers). Gamestation stores are always shabbier and often cheaper but the staff are much more clued up and interested in my experience – that’s why they’re favoured by the more ‘core’ gamers.
Saying that, I’ve never bought a game there and never would – the interwebz is king.
Danza Di Fuoco E Ghiaccio
Game needs more deals from older games, I’m glad Gamestop has opened has you can trade in say Fifa 09 you can get selected games for a £5, £10 or £15. Game’s haven’t been the best recently.