Retail
Ongoing coverage on Retail.
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Capcom Opens First U.S. Merch Store as a Pop-Up in Los Angeles
Capcom has opened its first U.S. retail pop-up store in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo. The store will offer attendees a chance to play the upcoming Mega Man: Dual Override and provide limited-edition merchandise.
GameStop Sets A New Financial Record, And It’s No Thanks To Games
GameStop reported a record operating income of $160.2 million for its fiscal Q2, driven by a 57% surge in collectible sales. Despite overall net sales falling due to fewer game sales and international store closures, the company's focus on collectibles has become its primary revenue driver. CEO Ryan Cohen suggested potential expansion into live commerce and digital item marketplaces.
CeX to open new retro stores to counter digital-only future says insider
UK retailer CeX is reportedly planning to open new stores dedicated to retro games, codenamed 'ReX' or 'CeX Retro', according to an insider. These stores would also sell imported games and potentially arcade machines and collectibles. The first 'ReX' store is slated to open in Birmingham later this year or early 2027, a move that predates Sony's announcement to stop producing physical game discs after 2027.
Target is Slicing Open Pokémon Card Boxes Before They're Sold in a Bid to Deter Scalpers, Fans Say
Target is reportedly opening new Pokémon card boxes before they are sold to combat scalpers who buy them in bulk for resale. This measure aims to deter the resale market by making the boxes less appealing to those who prioritize unopened stock.
Analyst Says Sony Killing Physical PS5 Games “Dooms” Brick-And-Mortar Stores
Analyst Michael Pachter believes Sony's decision to discontinue physical PlayStation 5 game releases in January 2028 will be the "death knell" for brick-and-mortar game retailers. While the move may save Sony money, Pachter argues it is anti-consumer and ignores the significant role the used game market plays for consumers and retailers like GameStop, whose business is increasingly reliant on collectibles and hardware.
UK games retailer Game entered administration owing £16m, thanks to fierce competition, consumer trends, and "uncertainty associated with Brexit"
British video game retailer Game has entered administration, owing £16 million. The company's downfall is attributed to changing consumer behavior, fierce competition, the shift to digital downloads, and uncertainty surrounding Brexit. The report highlights the decline in physical game sales and the impact of global chip shortages on console releases.
UK: GAME has collapsed into administration owing £16m
The UK video game retailer GAME has entered administration, owing £16 million. The company, which once operated 300 stores across the UK, has struggled against the rise of online retailers. GAME was originally established in 1990.
Former PlayStation Store boss says retail price is "set directly by the publisher" as digital draws ire for being more costly than the physical discs Sony is killing
A former head of the PlayStation Store, Gordon Thornton, stated that publishers, not Sony, set the recommended retail prices for games on the platform. This comes amid concerns that digital game prices are higher than physical copies and that Sony's move away from physical discs in 2028 will exacerbate this issue. Thornton's comments contrast with previous legal claims where Sony suggested it set retail prices under a wholesale model.
Where to pre-order GTA 6 in Australia: bundles, discounts, and how to find pre-load friendly delivery times
This guide details where to pre-order Grand Theft Auto 6 in Australia, focusing on retailers offering bundles and discounts. It also provides advice on securing pre-load friendly delivery times for the game.
Business and Finance
A retailer has warned of potential stock shortages for Grand Theft Auto consoles. The article also questions the continued presence of Russian propaganda on the Steam platform, highlighting business and industry concerns.
Some Retailers Are Refusing to Sell GTA 6 Due to the Lack of a Disc
Two retailers have announced they will not sell Grand Theft Auto 6 because it will not be released on physical disc. This decision highlights ongoing shifts in game distribution models.
Some Retailers Are Refusing To Carry GTA 6’s Physical Release
Two retailers, Video Games Plus and Loot Box Gaming, have announced they will not carry Grand Theft Auto 6 due to its lack of a traditional physical disc release, opting instead for a code-in-a-box format. Both companies cited policies against selling games with only digital codes and emphasized their commitment to game preservation. While these retailers are small, their stance highlights a growing concern about the decline of physical media in the gaming industry.
Walmart seems to be selling Star Fox a day early
Retailer Walmart has reportedly begun selling the Nintendo Switch version of Star Fox a day before its official release date. Images circulating on social media show customers securing physical copies of the game prior to its scheduled Thursday launch.
Copies of Sonic Frontiers Definitive Edition apparently go on sale 23rd June
Copies of Sonic Frontiers Definitive Edition have reportedly appeared at retailers ahead of its official release date. Customers have been informed that the game cannot be sold until June 23rd, which coincides with Sonic the Hedgehog's 35th birthday.
Valve won't let retailers stock physical Steam gift cards anymore because "scammers have adapted" to whatever security measures they've tried
Valve has decided to discontinue the sale of physical Steam gift cards in retail stores due to ongoing issues with scammers adapting to security measures. While digital gift cards will remain available, the cessation of physical cards means an end to using trade-in credit for gift cards and limits options for purchasing Steam currency. Valve expects existing stock to be depleted by the end of 2026.
GameStop Just Posted Its Highest Profit In History, Going Back Decades
Video game retailer GameStop has reported its highest-ever quarterly profit of $389.6 million for its fiscal Q1, a significant increase from $44.8 million in the same period last year. Revenue also rose to $835.3 million, while the company continued to cut costs. CEO Ryan Cohen is reportedly exploring a hostile takeover of eBay, having secured $20 billion in financing.
Crunchyroll announces anime retail pop-up in Los Angeles — MP3s & NPCs
Crunchyroll is launching a retail pop-up experience called The Loop at Westfield Topanga Mall in Los Angeles, featuring exclusive merchandise and immersive activations for anime series like Solo Leveling. The event will offer free general admission, with Crunchyroll subscribers receiving early access and a special pin pack available for purchase that also acts as a skip-the-line pass.
Google is opening its first flagship store outside of the US
Google announced it will open its first flagship store outside of the United States in Tokyo this summer. This marks a significant expansion of Google's retail presence into the international market.
June 2026 Target Pokemon Merchandise Drop Detailed
Target has detailed its upcoming second drop of Pokemon merchandise, set to launch on June 6, 2026, both in-store and online. The collection includes new Starter pullover jackets, shirts, puzzles, balls, and an Instant Print Digital Camera featuring Eevee. Some items from the first drop, like the Kanto Pokemon Starter Jacket, will also be restocked online on June 7, 2026.
Florida Man Accused of Using Chainsaw to Steal $12,000 of Pokémon Cards
A Florida man was arrested for allegedly stealing $12,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a store using a chainsaw. The incident involved a break-in where the cards were taken.