Amazon Seller Demonstrates Profit Opportunity from GAME Store Closures
As the once-dominant high street gaming retailer GAME shuts its remaining standalone stores, an Amazon seller has revealed a method for turning the closures into a quick cash opportunity. Charlotte Gough, an Instagram influencer with over 38,000 followers, specialises in providing tips for making money through Amazon reselling and has highlighted how GAME's liquidation sales present a lucrative chance.
GAME's Final High Street Exit
Last month, GAME announced it was entering administration and closing all its standalone UK high street stores. This move leaves only three physical locations in Lancaster, Sutton, and Dudley's Merry Hill shopping centre operational until they shut, though 200 concessions within Sports Direct and House of Fraser stores will continue, alongside the online store. GAME, traditionally a seller of video games, consoles, and accessories, had expanded in recent years to include gaming-related merchandise like toys, clothing, and board games.
Charlotte Gough's Reselling Strategy
In a video posted on Instagram, Gough explained, "GAME has gone bust, and with all of its locations shutting in the UK, there are hundreds of clearance deals to be had." She filmed shelves at a GAME concession inside a Sports Direct store, showing products with reduced stickers, such as a copy of Grand Theft Auto V for Xbox Series X, discounted from £29.99 to £20.
Gough continued, "With most of their stores residing within Sports Direct, the once game sections now look like this, with heavily reduced items to clear stock fast. There's so much up for grabs, like this Mario LEGO set, which I can make £30 profit when selling on Amazon." This approach involves purchasing discounted items from GAME's clearance sales and reselling them at a higher price on Amazon's marketplace.
Public Reaction and Market Shifts
Comments on Gough's video reflected broader consumer sentiments about GAME's decline. One user noted, "You could tell Game was ending when they started selling more merch than games," while another criticised, "They were always expensive as could find item elsewhere cheaper." A third comment highlighted competitive pressures: "Once supermarkets started selling games for cheaper, there wasn't much point going to the high street stores."
This marks the second time GAME has entered administration, following a previous instance in 2012. In 2019, Mike Ashley's Sports Direct executed a £52 million bailout, with the parent company later rebranding to Frasers Group. GAME's managing director, Nick Arran, is also departing after nine years, having previously stated in 2023, "Gaming is our core business and we will be [the] last man standing selling physical video games."
Digital Transformation Challenges
Market data underscores the shift away from physical sales. Arran reported that digital game sales accounted for 45% of the market pre-pandemic, but this surged to 75% post-COVID-19, with the physical games market struggling to recover. This trend towards digital purchases has significantly impacted traditional retailers like GAME, making physical store closures increasingly inevitable.
Gough's strategy taps into this retail transition, offering a practical example of how individuals can capitalise on clearance events to generate income through online platforms like Amazon. As high street retail continues to evolve, such reselling methods may become more common for savvy entrepreneurs seeking quick cash opportunities.
