London, UK – A recent report from Gfinity eSports revealed that GAME, a popular retailer, is planning to stop in-store sales of physical games and hardware. Instead, the company will transition to a ‘pre-order only’ policy for its in-store stock, requiring customers to either pre-order or purchase online for store delivery. This decision follows the elimination of trade-ins, pre-owned stock, and the impending closure of the GAME Reward scheme. Customers have until the end of July to redeem their remaining reward points via the mobile app before the scheme ends completely.
The move away from physical games and hardware comes as Nintendo prepares to unveil the successor to the Nintendo Switch. GAME’s retail stores, many of which are now located within Sports Direct locations, are shifting towards other products like Funko Pop figures, Squishmallows, and kids’ toys based on popular TV shows.
A previous report this year indicated that most of GAME’s staff, apart from store managers, would be transitioned to zero-hour contracts, raising concerns about job stability. Alongside this change, reports of redundancies at the retailer have also surfaced, highlighting the challenges faced by employees in the retail sector.
The evolving landscape of retail stores and the shift towards online shopping have posed challenges for companies like GAME, prompting them to adapt their business models. While the decision to move towards pre-order only sales may streamline operations and reduce overhead costs, it may also impact customer experience and accessibility to physical copies of games.
As consumers increasingly rely on digital downloads and online purchases for their gaming needs, the future of physical game retailers like GAME remains uncertain. The company’s response to these changes and the impact on its employees and customers will be closely monitored as the retail industry continues to evolve.