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NEWS
Indie retail booms as recession bites Independents look to category expansion and new stores and plan to fill the void left by Woolworths by Christopher Dring THE COUNTRY’S leading indies plan to expand their ranges and open new stores in a bid to defy the recession and capitalise on the demise of Woolworths. Grainger Games continues its rapid expansion this month as it prepares to open its 22nd store, while secondhand
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confirmed. And looking at supplying a phone unlocking service to all indies.” N1 Games is another looking to grow. Store manager Sam Semaan explained: “Our business is defiantly up, and this is because one of our competitors is out of the way. Since Woolworths has closed we have been working our hardest to give the best price
Since Woolworths closes we have been working our hardest to give the best price possible to our customers. Sam Semaan, N1 Games
specialist Game Player is about to open its fourth shop, with the prospect of four more to come. “The new store opening is imminent,” said Game Player boss Gary Noakes. “I am also in talks over four more, but that’s yet to be
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possible to our customers.” MCV also understands that other independents are looking to capitalise on empty High Street stores by moving premises, while others such as 1UP Games in Edinburgh are beefing up ranges to include DVD, action figures and comics.
HIGH STREET & MIGHTY: Independent retailers are looking to step up to the plate now that Woolies has gone by growing their store count and diversifying their range space
Game Guide editor Chris Ratcliff says the economy has forced many to be more cost effective: “I don’t think there has been an increase in the overall number of indies, more an adjustment of their ranks. There was an increase in the
Blast targets pre-school with Bob the Builder BUDGET publisher Blast is to celebrate Bob the Builder’s tenth anniversary with Festival of Fun – a game for a ‘new breed’ of pre-school gamers. The title hits shelves on Friday May 22nd, and Blast has targeted the usual outlets, as well as non-traditional stores, supermarkets and toy shops as potential stockists. “Bob the Builder is a really young brand aimed at preschool children,” says Mastertronic’s Kirsty Payne. “The Wii is now reaching a diverse range of people and age groups looking for a different experience. I think getting the message out there that this is a new breed of game aimed at
both parents and young children is the key to its success. “We expect it to sell well in the usual outlets, supermarkets and non-traditional routes plus toy retailers. Because of its wide appeal and brand awareness it could sit happily alongside traditional toys and Bob the Builder branded retail sections.” Blast is also set to promote the game alongside Bob The Builder anniversary events, with consumer sampling opportunities. Meanwhile, advertisements are planned for parenting and pre-school magazines and websites, along with cross-promotion with IP owner HIT Entertainment. Blast: 0845 234 4242
MASTERTRONIC HITS 500 GAMES The Mastertronic Group has now released 500 games under its Sold Out, MAD and Pc Gamer Presents budget games label. The group is celebrating its 500th PC release with a Monkey Madness competition, with £500 worth of games up for grabs every month at www.mastertronic.com. “We are proud of our history and have worked hard over the years to publish a fantastic range of games,” commented Mastertronic MD Andy Payne. “We have consistently released good quality PC games at great prices and will continue to do so. Bring on the next 500!”
number of enquiries for the Game Guide in the early part of the year, as the vacuum caused by the demise of some of the High Street encouraged individuals to consider opening shops. Hopefully, indies will use this summer to conduct an
overhaul of their businesses and adjust to the decrease in the spending money available to the general public.” Head on over to Page 17 for MCV’s countdown of the top 20 independent games retailers in the UK.