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NEWS
Woolies owner expects Xmas sales boost for games category Shop Direct Group triples share of games market after increasing software range in response to demand by Christopher Dring HOME SHOPPING and online retail giant Shop Direct anticipates a strong Christmas for games after tripling its share in the software market. The firm, which bought the rights to the Woolworths brand
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cent higher than any previous title sold at Shop Direct. “Gaming is hugely popular with our customers and after listening to them, we have increased our range of games and accessories,” said the company’s product director Justin Young.
Gaming is hugely popular with our customers and, after listening to them, we have increased our games range. Justin Young, Shop Direct
earlier this year, has bolstered its games offer in 2009 with an even bigger range of products. It also appointed former Woolworths category boss Gerry Berkley as trading manager for entertainment, which has paid dividends for the firm – with pre-orders of Modern Warfare 2 200 per
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“We are able to offer our customers a unique way of transacting with us, which is different from many of the traditional retailers. “Our customers are able to spread the cost of high value purchases, interest free, over a period of time, making gaming accessible to all.”
Shop Direct this week announced it is looking to bring the Woolworths brand back to the High Street
The Shop Direct Group is the largest online and home shopping retailer in the UK, with brands including Empire Stores, Littlewoods, Very.co.uk and Woolworths.co.uk.
The company has always been a big seller of video games hardware, with an increasing presence in the software market, and is the fourth largest electrical retailer in the UK.
The firm also announced this week that it’d like to bring Woolworths back to the High Street as a franchised chain. Shop Direct: 0844 292 1000
Tradewest Games signs up new partner for UK NEW PUBLISHER Tradewest Games has signed a deal with Austrian IP holder JoWooD to handle sales for the firm’s games in the UK.
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“We are happy to extend our co-operation in order to cover the UK market,” said Martin Spiess, CEO of Tradewest Games.
With our joint efforts to deliver quality distribution services, we’ll do whatever it takes to support JoWooD.
Martin Spiess, Tradewest Games
Tradewest will also manage the company’s titles in other European markets – building on its existing agreement to handle JoWooD products in France.
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“JoWooD is a strong partner, well known for innovative and appealing products on all relevant platforms. With our joint efforts to deliver high
quality distribution services, we’ll do whatever it takes to support JoWooD successfully in the UK marketplace.” Stefan Berger, JoWooD head of publishing, added: “After the great co-operation with Tradewest France as our sales agent, we are very pleased to include the UK market into our partnership. Together with the team of Tradewest, we are convinced we can deliver the best possible performance.” Tradewest’s work on JoWooD titles begins with Yoga for Wii. The new fitness game uses the Balance Board and is released today (November 27th).
Martin Spiess continues to expand Tradewest Games’ operations
Tradewest was formed by CEO Spiess at the end of the summer following the closure of Midway Europe.
Two weeks ago the firm promoted Nick Howard to UK managing director. Tradewest: 020 7382 7720