EB Games is closing all its New Zealand stores by the end of the month.
In a letter to staff last week, EB Games announced its plans on closing all remaining EB Games New Zealand stores and the New Zealand Distribution Centre.
A follow-up letter sent on Wednesday confirmed that EB Games will shut down its New Zealand operations on January 31, while the distribution centre is set to close permanently on February 28.
EB Games Australia & New Zealand managing director Shane Stockwell said the company received approaches from “numerous” third parties after news broke of its potential shutdown. However, “these parties did not present any proposals or solutions about how to keep the New Zealand business sustainable.”
The chain has faced ongoing pressures, including store closures in both Australia and New Zealand. Stockwell described the New Zealand operation as no longer commercially viable, citing a “multi-million dollar loss” in the 2024 fiscal year.
He noted that the retail market remains sluggish, with the company lacking confidence in any near-term performance turnaround.
It’s unclear how many jobs will be lost, and the letter to New Zealand employees made no mention of the Australian stores’ future.
“We are saddened to be in this position, having already made significant and repeated efforts to turn the business around,” Stockwell said.
GameStop has owned EB Games since 2005. The Australian-based company’s latest annual report shows it operating 38 stores in New Zealand and 336 in Australia.