According to reports announced on uber-geek website http://www.geekpulp.co.nz/2008/06/22/the-gamesman-set-to-be-acquired-by-eb-games]Geekpulp[/url], New Zealand’s largest currently existing independent gaming store chain "The Gamesman" will soon by bought out by industry retail giants EB Games.

All existing Gamesman stores in the country (located in Auckland, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Christchurch) will eventually be rebranded under the EB Games name.

What's most perplexing about this deal is the fact that these centres already have EB Games stores in them, which will make for an extremely congested arrangement of stores. The official word is that this takeover (and that's clearly what it is) won't result in the loss of any jobs despite that fact, but it’s difficult to see that not happening.

Tags : auckland : buyout : Christchurch : EB Games : Geekpulp : New Zealand : Palmerston North : Tauranga : The Gamesman : Wellington

Comments

By: Dragonsoul On: 12:11 Jun 23rd, 2008 Offline	Bugger. I hate it when big companies eat up the little ones. Competition makes for superior quality of products and customer service. If they're saying no jobs will be lost I'd be doubtful myself. Every acqusition in the history of business take-overs has resulted in some loss of jobs.

By: Kelz On: 02:12 Jun 23rd, 2008 Offline	Hmm, really? Interesting to know. There's two EB Games that I know of here in Christchurch, one in the middle of town and one in Riccarton. The Gamesman is nowhere near me, and thus nowhere near either of those two... No idea what its like everywhere else.

By: ApplesauceNinja On: 05:06 Jun 23rd, 2008 Offline	This disgusts me. Like Dragonsoul, I hate to see smaller businesses get demolished by the big guys. I try to throw as much business as I can to my local independent store, GameXChange. They're good people who really know their customers. They're a little higher in price, but sometimes the personal service they offer is worth it. I've had them buff games for me free of charge many times. They do it because I am a bit of a regular. You don't get that from EB or Gamestop, that's for sure.

By: Charlie On: 05:12 Jun 23rd, 2008 Offline	For awhile i used to go to "funco land" and get my games, cause they carried all the way back to NES. Then it got bought out by gamestop/eb games (the bag gave all 3 store titles on it) Funny thing is, funco land was across the street from a mall that contains an EB games and a gamestop. The mall of NH contains an EB games and a gamestop on either side of the mall, with another gamestop down the street. its like they're thier own competition here. its ridiculous.

By: Magus On: 08:58 Jun 24th, 2008 Offline	It seems EB games and GAME are doing their best to buy out as many game retailers as they can. About a year ago, an independent Norwegian chain of game retailers called "Spider-man" were bought out by GAME. And just a few months ago, a music, game and DVD retailer known as "Free Record Shop" was bought by EB games! It feels like a lot of competition between the various retailers are lost when there are just two major retailers competing. Thankfully, you can also buy games at electronics stores and record stores around the country. There's also online shopping, obviously, which serves up some competition. Though it still sucks to see someone who started out small get "crushed" by a bigger retailer.

By: Evren On: 11:08 Jun 24th, 2008 Offline	Woot. another games store bought out. surely this is some form of monopoly? Actually no, Apparantly not, Because online apparantly counts. EPIC PHAIL.