Most of the staff at GAME's head office have reportedly been laid off since August
In recent months, the UK gaming retailer GAME has reportedly witnessed a significant reduction in its head office team, contributing to the company's ongoing challenges.
The details come from a report by GamesIndustry.biz's affiliated website Eurogamer. Interviews with managers, store employees, and individuals connected to the head office suggest Frasers Group, GAME's parent company, has made notable cuts to the retailer's leadership team.
Sources indicate that about 78% of head office personnel have been dismissed since the company was fully integrated into Frasers Group on August 1, 2024. Presently, it is believed that only 20 remain in a department that previously numbered over 100.
An employee disclosed that all area managers had been let go, requiring store managers to directly liaise with the reduced head office team.
Sports Direct acquired GAME in June 2019, later rebranding as Frasers Group. Since this acquisition, numerous GAME stores—several just this year—have been closed and converted into sections within Sports Direct outlets.
In the current year, GAME has reportedly decided to cease its long-standing pre-owned business, stop selling physical currency cards, and discontinue taking in-store pre-orders for new games.
The company has faced challenges in fulfilling online pre-orders for major releases, resulting in delayed shipments for games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the Silent Hill 2 remake.
According to Eurogamer's sources, Frasers Group's procurement and logistics teams, lacking expertise in the gaming sector, have not ordered sufficient inventory, causing delays. Many games fail to reach stores in time for launch.
"If it's not EA Sports FC or Call of Duty, we're either getting it late or not at all," a staff member noted. "Even when we receive them, the quantities are minimal. I end up turning away more customers than I serve. Some PS5 Pro consoles arrived, but only half of what was initially promised."
GamesIndustry.biz has contacted Frasers Group for a response.
