- GAME (retailer)
Infobox_Company
company_name = The GAME Group plc
company_
company_type =Public (lse|GMG)
company_slogan = "The Next Level"
foundation = 1992
location =Basingstoke ,Hampshire , UK
key_people =Peter Lewis ,Chairman Lisa Morgan ,CEO
industry =Video Games
subsid =Gamestation
revenue = £1,491.9 million (2008)
operating_income=£75.2 million (2008)
net_income =£47.2 million (2008)
products = Game Consoles
Computer GamesAccessories |homepage = [http://www.game.co.uk/ www.game.co.uk] [http://www.game.com.au/ www.game.com.au] [http://www.game.se/ www.game.se]The GAME Group plc (lse|GMG) (usually known by its
high street trading name GAME) is a UK-basedvideo games retail company. Its flagship store is in Oxford Street inLondon . It is listed on theLondon Stock Exchange and is a constituent of theFTSE 250 Index .History
The Company was founded by Bev Ripley and Terry Norris as "Rhino Group" in 1992.
In 1995 a US business,
Electronics Boutique , acquired 25% of the Company, the name of which was changed to "Electronics Boutique Limited" under license from the US business.In 1999 "Electronics Boutique Limited" purchased a chain of retail outlets known as 'Game' from which the current name of the Company was derived. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/1999/nov/25/efinance.internet1 Electronic Boutique] ]
"Electronics Boutique Limited" went on to purchase the
BarrysWorld online gaming service in 2001, [ [http://news.zdnet.co.uk/emergingtech/0,1000000183,2084698,00.htm Electronic Boutique buys BarrysWorld] ] the French retailer "ScoreGames" in 2001 [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20011009/ai_n14429112 Games takeover] ] and the Spanish retailer "Centro Mail" also in 2001. [ [http://www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk/gameplay.htm UK Business Park] ]In 2002, Electronics Boutique stores in the UK and
Ireland were rebranded as "GAME", and the Company name was changed to "The GAME Group". Despite the name change, a 1% sales royalty toElectronics Boutique in theUnited States continued to be paid until January 2006. Attempts to have this overturned in court in 2003 were unsuccessful.cite news|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/02/28/game_loses_eb_royalty_case/|publisher=The Register|title=Game loses EB royalty case|date=Friday 28th February 2003]In May 2007 the Company announced the acquisition of rival UK specialist video game chain
Gamestation for £74 million. The Company stated that they intended retaining the brand. [ [http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/784/784988p1.html GAME buys GameStation for £74m] ]In 2006, GAME acquired Australian specialty video games retailer
Gameswizards and have since rebranded all Gameswizards outlets as GAME stores. [ [http://www.cnet.com.au/games/0,239029232,339271181,00.htm Games Wizards sold to UK company] ]Operations
The Company had over 1,100 stores worldwide as at 31 January 2008. [ [http://www.investis.com/reports/gmg_ar_2008_en/report.php?type=1&zoom=1&page=79490b5cff533cbdd4a1c3af5152b013 GAME Annual Report 2008] ]
GAME operates a loyalty card scheme for UK and Ireland customers, which offers a 2.5% cashback on all purchases. [ [http://www.game.co.uk/RewardProgram/ GAME Reward Programme] ]
References
ee also
*
GAME Loyalty Card External links
* [http://www.game.co.uk GAME web site]
* [http://www.game.com.au Australian GAME site]
* [http://www.gamegroup.plc.uk The GAME Group plc web site]
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