Online retailing
GAME.co.uk is the leading online specialist video game retailer in the UK. Our online operations are growing fast in the UK and overseas, providing a range of multi-channel services which replicate the choice and expertise in our stores.
Online Opportunities
The internet provides three ways for customers to buy and play video games:
- eCommerce
- Digital downloads
- Online gaming
GAME Group helps customers enjoy all three.
eCommerce is the most popular. Each of our Group businesses has a transactional website. In the UK, game.co.uk and gamestation.co.uk replicate online the specialist services of our stores. A third site, gameplay.com, provides an online-only brand with great value products and game downloads.
The Group's online retail sales grew from £4.7 million in 2003/04 to over £106 million in 2008/09. Profits are growing too - from £1.8m in 2006/7 to £6.1m in 2008/9. We're continuing to invest, particularly overseas, to help more customers shop online with GAME.
Recent innovations include a 'click and collect' service - so customers can order online and then pick up their selection from our stores - and an improved 'Gift Selector' tools on each site. This gives customers advice and recommendations, as if they were talking to one of our store assistants.
Digital downloads and games-on-demand services for pc games have been available from GAME websites for three years. While these are still a small part of our online operation, interest is growing and we keep a close eye on changing trends and developments.
Online gaming is taking off as customers use their broadband service to play with gamers around the world. These gamers are generally core gamers, and we see them regularly in our stores as they buy the latest games, time cards and accessories to give them the ultimate gaming experience.
