D. Tighe
Research expert covering consumer behavior, sporting goods retail, and the global toy industry.
GameStop - statistics & facts
When thinking of where to buy physical copies of video games, either first- or second-hand, there is one particular name that stands out: GameStop. What began as a two-man venture under a different label (Babbage’s) all the way back in 1984, eventually turned into one of the largest video game merchandise retail enterprises in the world. Today, the company sells video games, consoles, and game-related merchandise from major brands like Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo, as well as toys, figurines, and other entertainment products. Although GameStop remains a key player within its specific hobby store niche, its net sales have declined noticeably over the years.
The total number of stores, both domestic and international, has experienced a decline in recent years. Between the financial year of 2022 and 2023, the number of active outlets in Germany was reduced by more than 50 percent, while the company also opted to exit operations in Austria, Ireland, and Switzerland.
Since its stock market peak in January 2021, GameStock shares continued dipping as the financials of the company showed no sign of recovery. In May 2024, however, encouraged by social media activity of some of the central figures of the 2021 movement, GameStock share price soared yet again and had financial news media’s eyes on the company.
GameStop worldwide
GameStop was founded in Texas, United States, and over time, it made its way overseas, accounting for hundreds of locations in countries, such as Australia, France, and Italy, as of February 2024. That said, over two-thirds of GameStop outlets are still located in the United States, and, by extension, this remains where the company generates the bulk of its revenue.The total number of stores, both domestic and international, has experienced a decline in recent years. Between the financial year of 2022 and 2023, the number of active outlets in Germany was reduced by more than 50 percent, while the company also opted to exit operations in Austria, Ireland, and Switzerland.
GameStop in the stock market
While GameStop’s business declined, consumers found a renewed interest in the struggling retailer through its publicly traded stock #GME. GameStop was at the center of the 2021 stock market frenzy where retail investors waged a war against institutional investors that had been betting against the stock price – a trading move known as short selling. Over the span of only a few months, the GameStop stock price jumped from 4.82 U.S. dollars to over 86 U.S. dollars. At the peak of its stock price surge, the company was valued at over 20 billion U.S. dollars in market capitalization.Since its stock market peak in January 2021, GameStock shares continued dipping as the financials of the company showed no sign of recovery. In May 2024, however, encouraged by social media activity of some of the central figures of the 2021 movement, GameStock share price soared yet again and had financial news media’s eyes on the company.
