A recent report from Gfinity eSports has revealed that the retailer GAME will be shifting its focus away from in-store sales of physical games and hardware. Instead, the company will be implementing a ‘pre-order only’ policy for in-store stock, meaning customers will need to pre-order or purchase online for store delivery.
This change comes after the removal of trade-ins and pre-owned stock from GAME stores, as well as the upcoming discontinuation of the GAME Reward scheme. Customers have until the end of July to use their remaining reward points via the mobile app, as physical cards are no longer functional. This shift away from physical games and hardware coincides with Nintendo’s announcement that the successor to the Switch will be revealed this fiscal year.
GAME’s retail stores, many of which are now located within Sports Direct locations, are increasingly focusing on non-gaming merchandise like Funko Pop figures and preschool toys. Additionally, a report earlier this year indicated that most of GAME’s staff, aside from store managers, will be transitioned to zero-hour contracts, raising concerns about job stability.
We have reached out to GAME for a statement regarding these changes and will update this article with any response we receive. What are your thoughts on GAME’s shift to online sales and digital downloads? Do you think this marks the end of their retail business? Share your opinions in the comments below.
In other news, Nintendo Life’s resident horror enthusiast, Ollie, enjoys delving into the worlds of Resident Evil and Silent Hill when he’s not reading a scary book with a cup of tea. He also loves long walks and listens to a wide range of music, from TOOL to Chuck Berry.
