Press releases

THE GAME GROUP PLC - Audited preliminary results for the year ended 31 January 2005

19/04/2005

THE GAME GROUP PLC, Europe’s largest specialist retailer of computer and video games software, today announces preliminary results for the year ended 31 January 2005.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

  Year ended 31/1/05 Year ended 31/1/04 % change
Group Turnover £576.6m £606.7m -5.0
Profit before tax and goodwill amortisation £31.9m £24.3m +31.3
Operating profit £26.8m £17.8m +51.0
Gross profit margin 30.6% 28.8% +6.3
Basic earnings per share 4.69p 2.95p +59.0
Dividend per share 2.2p 2.0p +10.0

Operational and financial highlights

  • Continued strong performance in the UK and Ireland
  • Profitability achieved in Continental Europe for the first time
  • £6.1m returned in the year to shareholders through share buyback programme
  • Strong performance achieved despite acute supply shortages of consoles over Christmas which contributed to the sales shortfall
  • In the first 11 weeks of the current year to 16 April sales are up 18.1% with like for like sales up by 8.0%

Peter Lewis, Chairman, commented:-

“This was a resolute performance particularly in light of a breakdown in console hardware supplies through the key Christmas period and the consequent disruption to our customer flows.

Achieving profitability in Continental Europe earlier than expected is particularly pleasing.

This year, Nintendo DS and Sony PSP will help bridge the console generation gap. In 2006, we expect the eagerly awaited PS3 and Xbox2 to stimulate strong demand for our product.”

For further information please contact:

Lisa Morgan, Deputy Chief Executive
David Thomas, Group Finance Director
The GAME Group Tel: 01256 784085
Jonathan Glass
James Crampton
Brunswick Group Tel: 020 7404 5959

View the full press release in PDF format.

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