Video game retailer EB Games Australia will shut down 20 stores around the country this month, offering 20 to 60 per cent discounts on remaining stock.
Describing the stores as “unprofitable”, EB Games said the decision was made after evaluating all stores in line with the “ever-changing retail landscape”.
Staff at the soon-to-close stores were offered the opportunity to work in surrounding stores “where possible”.
It is not known how many staff are affected.
New South Wales leads the number of stores to close (6), followed by Queensland (5), Adelaide (4), Victoria (2), Western Australia (2) and ACT (1).
In a statement to Information Age, EB Games did not name the stores to close, but these have been widely reported as being:
ACT: Majura Park
NSW: Birkenhead Point, Blacktown, Inverell, Rockdale, Tamworth, Winston Hills
QLD: Bribie Island, Cleveland, Inala, Lutwyche, Underwood
SA: Adelaide City Cross, Brickworks, Hallet Cove, Harbourtown Adelaide
VIC: Dandenong, Hamilton
WA: Dianella, Kalamunda
EB Games said it will focus on opening more of its large format “hybrid” stores that combine EB Games and Zing Pop Culture.
“These hybrid stores, combined with our strong omni-channel offering, 6 million loyalty members and 300+ locations across Australia, will see EB Games continue to be one of Australia’s largest specialty retailers,” it optimistically said.
EB Games regional manager Mark di Stefano. Photo: Illawarra Mercury
In the era of online gaming, EB Games’ US-based owner GameStop is under increasing financial pressure to deliver results.
EB Games Australia has been under fire for its work culture. Its regional manager Mark di Stefano was the subject of numerous complaints from former staff members, and in 2017 the company settled a harassment claim with one of the complainants for $8,500 with no admission of guilt.
