EB Games

Last updated
EB Games
FormerlyElectronics Boutique, EBX, EB World
IndustryVideo game retailer
Founded1977;48 years ago (1977) (as Electronics Boutique)
Philadelphia, U.S.
Area served
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Austria (formerly)
Denmark (formerly)
France (formerly)
Finland (formerly)
Germany (formerly)
Ireland (formerly)
Italy (formerly)
Norway (formerly)
Puerto Rico (formerly)
Spain (formerly)
Sweden (formerly)
United Kingdom (formerly)
United States (formerly)
ProductsVideo games, game consoles
Owner GameStop Corp.

EB Games (previously known as Electronics Boutique) is an international video game retailer trading in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. [1]

Contents

Originally established as American company in 1977 by James Kim in Philadelphia, Electronics Boutique sold calculators, radios and digital watches before pivoting towards sales of computers and software products. In the mid-1990s, Electronics Boutique became a video game retailer, later expanding internationally across Canada, Europe and Australia. In 2002, it was renamed from Electronics Boutique to EB Games, with some stores also trading as EBX and EB World. [2]

In October 2005, EB Games accepted a takeover deal from rival GameStop Corp. for $1.44 billion, who phased out the EB name in the United States, renaming all American outlets to GameStop. The EB name still survives in Canada, Australia and New Zealand due to local brand recognition, with the name used under franchise agreements from GameStop Corp. [3]

History

Originally, the operation mainly sold calculators and digital watches. Between 1977 and the mid-1990s, the company expanded to (and later stopped) selling computers, software, and other related items (according to the EB Games employee handbook). Electronics Boutique also operated stores under the name Games 'n Gadgets. The Games 'n Gadgets stores were more centered on entertainment and gaming, rather than business and productivity. In the mid-1990s, the company's focus switched to TV-based video games and consoles, though many stores still maintain PC game sections.

On April 3, 2000, Electronics Boutique made an offer to purchase rival business FuncoLand for $110 million, paying $17.50 in cash for each of parent company Funco's shares. CEO Joseph Firestone remarked that his company had been "stalking" FuncoLand for two years, and waited until the stock price was right. [4] [5] [6] [7] On April 5, Funco received an unsolicited $135 million buyout offer from Barnes & Noble subsidiary Babbage's Etc., who offered to pay in either cash or a combination of cash and Barnes & Noble stock. [8] [9] [10] [11] On April 12, Funco gave Electronics Boutique five days to raise its offer before they would accept Barnes & Noble's offer. [12] In response, Electronics Boutique matched Barnes & Noble's offer. [13] [14] [15] [16] On April 26, Barnes & Noble raised its bid to $161.5 million, or $24.75 a share, leaving Electronics Boutique with another five days to respond to the bid. [17] [18] [19] On May 3, Electronics Boutique announced the withdrawal of its bid, [20] [21] and Funco accepted Barnes & Noble's buyout the following day. Electronic Boutique's original definitive agreement with Funco included a breakup fee of $3.5 million, the cost of which was covered by Barnes & Noble. [22] [23]

In May 2000, in order to unify their company, Electronics Boutique changed the vast majority of its current EB and EB Gameworld stores to the name EB Games. They also announced that they would be either closing or selling all of their EB Kids and Brandywine Sports Collectible Stores. [24]

For years EB Games' primary distribution center was in Louisville, Kentucky, with two smaller distribution centers and a World Headquarters all located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. With video games becoming increasingly popular, EB Games decided it was time for a new distribution center. In October 2004, EB Games opened its doors to its new 314,000-square-foot (29,200 m2) distribution center in Sadsbury Township, Pennsylvania. The world headquarter office in West Chester remained open, however anyone working at the old distribution centers were transferred to the new location. [25]

2005 GameStop acquisition

On Thursday, October 6, 2005, shareholders from EB Games and GameStop agreed to a $1.44 billion takeover deal. [26] The deal offered $38.15 [27] in cash as well as approximately ¾ of a share of GameStop stock for every 1 share of EB Games stock. This offer was a 34.2% premium on the $41.12 per share closing price of EB Games stock. GameStop decided to close EB Games's newly constructed distribution center in Sadsbury, PA, their call center in Las Vegas, NV, and their International Headquarters in West Chester, PA, eliminating more than 800 jobs. Only 65 former EB Games employees were offered jobs at GameStop's headquarters in Grapevine, TX. [28]

List of current operations

An EB Games store (later GameStop) at Hillcrest Mall in February 2015 EBGamesHillcrest.JPG
An EB Games store (later GameStop) at Hillcrest Mall in February 2015

Canada

EB began its international expansion with the opening of three stores in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1993. The Canadian division was the largest of the international divisions with over 300 stores as of May 2008. [ citation needed ]

On July 28, 2021, EB Games announced that its Canadian operations would be rebranded under the GameStop name, with the rebranding expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Stores began to be converted to GameStop signage by September 2021. [29] [30]

On May 5, 2025, GameStop Canada announced their assets had been sold to Canadian businessman Stephan Tétrault and the brand would be reverting to the EB Games name in the near future. [31]

Australia and New Zealand

In 1997, Electronics Boutique entered the Australian market, opening its first store in the Westfield Miranda in New South Wales; eventually becoming the first national video games retailer in Australia. [32] In 2000, Electronics Boutique entered New Zealand, opening its first store in Auckland. [33]

In July 2008, EB Games announced an agreement to acquire The Gamesman, which was the largest independently owned chain of video game stores in New Zealand. [34]

In July 2014, EB Games in Australia launched Zing Pop Culture, which grew to become a national chain of pop-culture themed merchandise outlets. [35]

List of defunct international operations

Europe

EB Games operated in Spain, Germany, France, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway and Sweden. [36]

On May 23, 2005, EB Games announced a definitive agreement to acquire the Spanish retailer Jump, based in Valencia. Jump sold PCs and other consumer electronics. EB Games planned to begin introducing video game hardware and software into Jump's 141 stores several months after the acquisition. The acquisition provided EB Games entry into the Spanish marketplace and continued EB Games' aggressive international expansion.

Puerto Rico

By 2001, EB Games had opened stores in Puerto Rico. [37]

United Kingdom and Ireland

In October 1995, Electronics Boutique expanded into the UK by purchasing a 25% stake in the financially troubled British game retailer, The Rhino Group. The chain’s trading name was changed from Future Zone to Electronics Boutique to reflect the new ownership. [38] John Steinbrecher, Electronics Boutique's VP of Stores in the US and Canada, was seconded to the UK to manage the chain. Through store remodels, adjustments to the product mix, and the introduction of used video games, the chain’s finances were successfully restored. [39]

In October 2001, Electronics Boutique Limited went on to purchase the BarrysWorld online gaming service, [40] the French retailer ScoreGames, [41] and the Spanish retailer Centro Mail. [42]

Although the merger created a company separate from the U.S. parent, EB retained a 24% ownership stake for a period and, under the merger agreement, collected substantial management fees until 2004. That year, the companies agreed to sever the remainder of their ties through a one-time settlement. In 2002, the Game brand replaced the Electronics Boutique name at all former EB stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland, making the new company the largest video game retailer in the UK. [43]

See also

Notes

    References

    1. "EB Games Activates Licensing Partnership with Xbox Consumer Gaming Products Across Australia, New Zealand". Licensing International. 2025-08-18. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
    2. Staff, I. P. (2020-02-19). "James and Agnes Kim Foundation". www.insidephilanthropy.com. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
    3. "GameStop buying EB Games". GameSpot. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
    4. Moore, Janet (April 4, 2000). "Funco is sold to rival retailer". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 31 via Newspapers.com.
    5. Moore, Janet (April 4, 2000). "Electronics Boutique had been 'stalking' Funco for 2 years". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 38.
    6. Woodall, Martha (April 4, 2000). "W. Chester firm is in the game". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia. p. 35. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
    7. Woodall, Martha (April 4, 2000). "$110 million deal to unite game firms". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia. p. 46 via Newspapers.com.
    8. Moore, Janet (April 7, 2000). "Funco receives higher offer". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 45 via Newspapers.com.
    9. Moore, Janet (April 7, 2000). "Two offers are 'a great situation' for stockholders". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 46 via Newspapers.com.
    10. Woodall, Martha (April 7, 2000). "Game-seller gets a higher bid". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia. p. 37. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
    11. Woodall, Martha (April 7, 2000). "$135 million is offered for Funco". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia. p. 46. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
    12. Phelps, David (April 14, 2000). "Funco receives higher offer". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 56 via Newspapers.com.
    13. "Electronics Boutique ups bid for Funco". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. April 21, 2000. p. 43. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
    14. "Merger would create largest retailer of electronic games". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. April 21, 2000. p. 44 via Newspapers.com.
    15. Fernandez, Bob (April 21, 2000). "Electronics Boutique matches competing bid for game retailer". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia. p. 33 via Newspapers.com.
    16. Fernandez, Bob (April 21, 2000). "West Chester firm raises its bid for a games retailer". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia. p. 34 via Newspapers.com.
    17. Moore, Janet (April 27, 2000). "Barnes & Noble raises bid, again, for Funco Inc". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 45 via Newspapers.com.
    18. Moore, Janet (April 27, 2000). "CEO could reap $35.2 million if Barnes & Noble deal prevails". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 46 via Newspapers.com.
    19. Schlisserman, Courtney (April 27, 2000). "Barnes & Noble increases its offer". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia. p. 31 via Newspapers.com.
    20. Moore, Janet (May 3, 2000). "Funco suitor drops chase". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 39 via Newspapers.com.
    21. Moore, Janet (May 3, 2000). "Shareholder suit filed Tuesday is now left in uncertain status". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 41 via Newspapers.com.
    22. "Funco accepts buyout by Barnes & Noble". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia. May 5, 2000. p. 48. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
    23. Moore, Janet (May 6, 2000). "Fate of Funco's local operations unclear". Star Tribune . Minneapolis. p. 46 via Newspapers.com.
    24. "EB changes name of game: rebranding a la GameStop". Archived from the original on 2009-04-29. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
    25. "Video game retailer Electronics Boutique expects to break ground on a new 315,000-square-foot distribution center this spring". Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2012-09-30.
    26. "GameStop and Electronics Boutique Stockholders Approve Merger". US Securities and Exchange Commission. October 6, 2005. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
    27. "SEC Filings S-4 - Merger Agreement, GameStop Corp. and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp". GameStop. May 23, 2005. Archived from the original on May 7, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
    28. "Hundreds of EB jobs will be cut". Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
    29. "EB Games to rebrand as GameStop in Canada". GamesIndustry.biz. 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
    30. "Canadian EB Games and EBX Locations Start Rebranding to GameStop with New Store Signage". Retail Insider. 2021-09-10. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
    31. Shankar, Bradly (2025-05-05). "EB Games to return after GameStop Canada acquisition". MobileSyrup. Archived from the original on 2025-05-05. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
    32. Powell, Dominic (2021-02-05). "'Mario cuts through everything': How EB Games survived retail's great battle". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
    33. "Wayback Machine". content.ebgames.com.au. Archived from the original on 2022-07-31. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
    34. Thompson, Michael (2008-07-02). "GameStop buys Gamesman chain in New Zealand". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
    35. "ZiNG Pop Culture". www.zingpopculture.com.au. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
    36. http://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/g/NYSE_GME_2005.pdf.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
    37. "EB Games History: Founding, Timeline, and Milestones - Zippia". www.zippia.com. 2020-08-27. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
    38. Good at Games The Independent, 13 June 2009
    39. Barrie, By Chris; Correspondent, Media Business (1999-04-13). "Software retailer raises its Game with takeover". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-09-19.{{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
    40. Loney, Matt (27 February 2001). "Electronic Boutique buys BarrysWorld". News.zdnet.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
    41. Cullen, Drew (October 8, 2001). "EB buys its way into France". The Register. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
    42. "Gameplay". UK Business Park. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
    43. Editor-in-Chief, Tom Bramwell Former (2002-01-08). "No more Electronics Boutique". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2025-09-19.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)