While businesses drop like flies because of the poor economy, we can be sure that one thing seems to be suffering significantly less: videogame sales. Apparently no matter how depressed people are, they still want to have fun, which is good news for gamers and retailers.
GameStop announced their fiscal 2009 numbers today, which showed things looking good with an increase of 24% in sales (in other words, $8.8 billion dollars). They are expecting to continue to perform well, with the plans for 2009 growth including opening 400 new locations and increasing sales by 12 percent. I hope one of those 400 new stores opens in the mall across the street from me (hint!).
Dan Matteo, Chief Exec Officer for GameStop, offered some thoughts on the chain’s success:
“Although our trade-in model is widely known as a driver of new software sales, our exceptional growth is also a function of thousands of conveniently located stores, excellent supply chain management, and the expertise of our associates who operate GameStop stores. Also of note is our US advertising penetration, and the power of our magazine, Game Informer, which is the twelfth largest consumer magazine in America, with over 3 million subscribers. We are energized by the fact that video gaming has gone mainstream, with recent industry data showing that nearly half of new gamers are over 35 years old and 40% are female.”
And there you have it. I’d like to meet more of that 40 percent of female gamers, considering I’ve met less then ten girls in Miami who love gaming in the past two years. Guess they’re well-hidden?
[Via Business Wire]
