Asda has hired 12 games specialists from rival Gamestation and now defunct distributor EUK to ramp up its gaming business.

The grocer said it is still on track to be the leading non-specialist games retailer by next year, as it takes advantage of the gap in the market left by Woolworths.

The retailer has hired seven former employees of EUK and five from Gamestation. Asda category director for entertainment Fergal Gara said: “We’re making a commitment to entertainment and have stepped it up in the wake of EUK’s collapse.”