Game UK & Ireland like-for-likes slumped 12.2% while total sales dropped 14.7% in the 44 weeks to December 4.

However, domestic trading has improved, with the like-for-like decline slowing to -7.6%, while total sales fell 11.1%, in the most recent 18 weeks. Game said it has maintained its market leading position.

In the 44 week period, group sales declined 7.9%. Across Game’s international business, like-for-likes slipped 1.5% while total sales were up 1.2%.

Online sales “held firm”, edging up 0.1%.

In the 18 week period group like-for-likes improved, dropping 4.6%. However, online sales dropped back, declining 1.4%.

Chairman Peter Lewis said: “As we enter the key Christmas period, we have seen some positive indicators in the market. Strong and innovative products are launching well, there is a record installed base of consoles in each of our territories, and customers are responding positively to our specialist offer.

“However, the ongoing weakness in the market performance of hardware and casual gamer products means that we are maintaining our cautious outlook for the remainder of the current financial year. Our most significant weeks are still ahead of us, historically representing over 25% of our annual revenues, and every part of our business is primed to deliver everything our customers need.”

In the period the retailer benefited from two big game releases, Call of Duty: Black Ops and FIFA 11, which both broke industry records as the fastest selling games of all time.

The retailer said it had continued to focus on a “value proposition” to drive sales and market share, with customer offers on preowned deals, and “attractive bundles on mint products” as well as a “wide range of exclusive promotions with our loyalty cards”.

Game expects preowned sales to account for around 25% of its sales mix in the full year, compared with 21% last year.

Game said it has benefited from leveraging its “specialist qualities”, which include its “huge range of products, knowledgeable employees, close supplier relationships, compelling value offers and exclusive extras”.

Game operates 1,319 stores globally.

Topics