Gaming outlets closing - news - bargains ahead

Seeing the shout box talking about the loss of Woolworths on the UK high street and Zavvi next is HMV.

A bit of insider information on this - best put some thoughts out there.

Woolworths distribution arm Entertainment UK (EUK) went down 27th Nov with the administration of Woolworths, (EUK - are the main distributors in the UK for Music, Games, DVDs and Books to the high street. they supplied Zavvi, ASDA, Sainsburys, Tesco, WHSmith. Most independent chain stores and individual independents also used EUK. There was at one point Handleman group who dealt with distribution who Tesco have brought out and because of this Tesco didn't have to much trouble when it came to the shopfloor this christmas peroid, ASDA got its own depots and distribution network to pick up the loss of EUK and apart from one week of little on the shopfloor have completely recovered and it looks like they are not so effected, Zavvi - formerly part of the Virgin group under the title Virgin Megastores.

WHSmith i read on MCV website this morning - also use EUK along with thier own supply network and have been only partially affected - WHSmith sell everything at RRP Recommend Retail Price ie dvds are £19.99 games at £39.99 and £49.99 respectively, yet somehow they remain the 2nd biggest games retailer on the high street.
The first being GAME/Gamestation who use their own network along with Centresoft and sister company PDQ Distribution Ltd. Who look almost uneffected by this shift and loss of EUK.

HMV dont use EUK - but have recently posted losses of 27.5million (11/12/08 UK date) and are themselves looking in financial struggles - but these losses aren't actually real well physical I mean thats just how much they are short of their company targets based on last years takings plus growth on this years plan. They may seek to close stores or go through a management reshuffle and reassess the marketplace

Its unfortunate that so many are going to lose their jobs, but game wise theres some serious bargains out there! i went into a closing Woolworths got the Guitar Hero World Tour full pack drums, guitar etc normally £149 got it for £80. Zavvi had Core arcade 360s for £89! on 23rd.

I have a few contacts in Zavvi and one of my friends there got a letter saying "stores are closing 30th Dec" there was a message attached to tell customers that to purchase as normal, but theres no gift cards, gift reciepts and all purchases made before Nov 27th are not to alledgable for a refund or replacement.

Good and bad news all round

 

What about the liquidation sale? 29th of dec? 30?