GAME Sees Christmas Trading Fall

In keeping with American counterparts Electronics Boutique and GameStop, British video game retailer GAME has reported a difficult Christmas trading period – in large part due to console hardware shortages. For the six week period ending January 8th, total group sales were down by 9.8 percent, and like-for-like revenues down by 17.1 percent. Total sales for the UK and Ireland fell 15.1 percent, with like-for-like revenues dropping 20.4 percent. Total sales for Continental Europe, however, were up by 22.6 percent and like-for-like sales up by 2.7 percent. During the 40 week period ended January 8th, though, total group sales were down by 4.8 percent, with like-for-like sales down 12.1 percent. "The non-availability of console hardware in the run-up to Christmas was particularly disappointing after the strong start to the second half," said chairman Peter Lewis. "PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles were reduced to around £100, which created tremendous demand. Indeed, group like-for-like sales for the quarter to October 30th were ahead by 2.1 percent." However, it was reported today that Christmas retail trading in general in the UK was down to a decade-long low, suggesting that hardware shortages merely exacerbated an already difficult situation.