7 replies to this topic

[Zinix]

 

It may have "game" in its name, but retailer GameStop has announced plans to start increasing its focus on "gaming-adjacent" fields while lessening its reliance on video games. CEO Paul Raines dubbed the initiative "GameStop 3.0," saying that it plans on closing about 2 percent of its retail locations, while opening Spring Mobile and Simply Mac stores instead.

The two GameStop-owned retail brands focus on selling AT&T-branded phones and Apple products. According to GI.biz, GameStop plans on opening over 200 Spring Mobile stores and 20 Simply Mac stores--essentially doubling the footprint of both franchises.

By transitioning away from video games, the company hopes to be like other companies that have made similar leaps. Williams-Sonoma, for example, began as a kitchen equipment retailer that now owns Pottery Barn and West Elm. Perhaps the "stop" in their name meant that they were planning to stop selling games one day?

 

http://www.shacknews...nstead-of-video

 

It begins 

[Portal]

Not surprising. Last game I bought from them was Dream Team or NSLU. That was August. I like stopping in, heck, me, my dad, and my brother are friends with a couple employees after getting SPs and chatting almost weekly for a few years. GS will disappear. I see physical copies going to Amazon, eBay, and maybe BestBuy when digital really gets going. Almost all of my backlog is digital only games, and my latest retail are digital. Things are and will change.

[Socalmuscle]

With the maturation and ubiquity of digital marketplaces which cut out the middle man, Gamestop is wise to diversify and shift focus.

They'll always sell games and consoles.

But they'll likely be forced into becoming Radio Shack 2.0

No real software. Mostly hardware sales.

Prob hawking carrier and mobile data contracts before long.

[Abcdude]

Because nothing says quality more than flappy bird rip offs.

[Raiden]

Nothing new when I worked there in 2006 they started pushing the stupid Zune on everyone. I refused to ever sell it.

[BrosBeforeGardenTools]

The Gamestop-owned magazine Game Informer does nothing but give Ouya a hard time. So I don't think you have much to worry about.

[NintendoReport]

[Auzzie Wingman]

Well, with the enormous of status checks they had to do and demonstrate, I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes successful. Longest time to buy games, let me tell you.

EB might be in the some parent company, but they just don't reach those levels of annoying. They just, just don't.