Press releases
GAME Bolsters European Team
13/02/2004
GAME has appointed a Managing Director for Europe to lead significant expansion of its operations on the Continent.
Marc Spence, previously European Development Director, will oversee the Group’s strategy to grow the existing video game retail businesses in France, Spain and Sweden.
GAME, already Europe’s largest specialist video games retailer, is planning further growth across the UK and Europe in 2004 - a high level European management team has been installed to spearhead growth in each country, improve links with the UK and speed up decision making processes.
GAME Sweden has over 30 stores and is managed by General Manager Richard Lindstrom. In France, GAME has 58 stores, which are run by Managing Director Philippe Wehmeyer; and Pablo Crespo, General Manager, oversees the CentroMAIL brand in Spain.
In November 2003, The GAME Group Plc further strengthened its experience of European retailing with the appointment of Jean-Paul Giraud, previously Chairman and Chief Executive of FNAC.
Through 2004 and beyond GAME plans to expand its network of 490 stores rapidly, by opening new stores in each territory; and attract new customers by strengthening and further establishing its brands.
Martin Long, GAME Group Chief Executive said “There are many good opportunities for our business to grow both in the UK and in Europe. With Marc leading a very experienced team of senior retailers we can take a broad overview of the very different businesses and territories. His appointment puts us in a strong position to expand our operations and grow our market share.”
Marc Spence, MD Europe said “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the growth of GAME in Europe. We’ve invested heavily in all three chains during 2003, and now we are in a position to move forward with our plans for 2004, with the ultimate aim of providing ever better services to our customers.”
Notes:
Before joining GAME in 2002, Marc was Group Buying Director (PC software and games) for Dixons Stores Group Ltd. He has previously worked for Gameplay and John Menzies.
About GAME
GAME is Europe's leading specialist retailer of computer software and video games. The Group currently operates from over 350 stores in the UK and Eire, 35 GAME stores in Sweden, over 90 CentroMAIL stores in Spain and around 60 GAME stores in France. It also offers an on-line shopping service.
Since 2000, by value, the games market has grown 400%, whilst GAME has outpaced this figure and grown operating profit by 800%, over the same period of time.
For further corporate information log onto www.gamegroup.plc.uk, and for the new look on-line store log onto www.game.uk.com.
For further details please contact:
Simon Soffe / Lisa Artemis – GAME PR Dept
01344 464442 / 464512
Melissa Byrne / Louise Miles – Halogen
0207 487 9191
