In a rare example of a UK retail idea crossing the Atlantic, entertainment giant Blockbuster is introducing Gamestation shop-in-shops in the US following a successful trial.
Blockbuster bought Game station for US$50 million (£30.8 million) last October, and began a US trial in April. The retailer now plans to extend the pilot in the US from 14 shops to between 100 and 150 in the past three months of this year.It also plans to introduce Gamestation to 50 stores outside the US, many of which will be in the UK.
The Gamestation format allows customers to buy or exchange games, and shoppers can continue to rent from the entertainment giant.
Blockbuster chairman and chief executive John Antioco said: 'For the past 12 months, we have been testing different (strategies for) our games store-in-store. From our work over the past year, including customer research and studying our Gamestation acquisition in the UK, we have learned a great deal about operating a games concept profitably.'
Antioco did not indicate the ultimate goal for the roll-out, but said: 'Looking forward to 2004, our plan is to further expand our games concept.'
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