Stay calm, gamers! While it's true that a few EB Games stores in Australia are closing their doors this month, it's not as dire as it may seem.
EB Games, or Zing as it's known in some regions, has announced the closure of at least ten stores across the country. However, it's important to note that this is a standard business practice for the company's parent, GameStop, at the end of its financial year.
Here's a breakdown of the stores that have already closed or are scheduled to close this week:
New South Wales (NSW):
- Jesmond (Closed)
- Dapto (January 17th)
- Fairfield Forum (Closed)
- Tuggerah (January 24th, Zing store)
- St Clair (Closed)
Victoria (VIC):
- Airport West (Closed)
- Cranbourne Homemaker Centre (Closed)
Queensland (QLD):
- Harbour Town (January 17th)
Western Australia (WA):
- Whitfords (January 17th)
South Australia (SA):
- Elizabeth (January 24th, Zing store)
The closures are a result of various factors, including underperformance and changes in agreements with landlords. But here's where it gets controversial: these store closures are not directly linked to the issues faced by EB Games in New Zealand.
So, what do you think? Is this a sign of a struggling market, or a natural business cycle? Feel free to share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below. We'd love to hear your perspective on this development in the gaming retail landscape.