EB Games has confirmed it will shut every store in New Zealand by the end of January, a move that lands as its US parent GameStop cuts hundreds of outlets and pares back overseas operations.
The retailer’s New Zealand closure means 38 stores will disappear from the trans Tasman network along with its local distribution centre which is due to close later in February.
Staff were told the New Zealand business was no longer viable after sustained losses and that approaches from potential buyers or partners did not produce a workable rescue plan.
The first thing Australian consumers should know is that EB Games has not declared a parallel shutdown.
336 stores in Australia and 38 in New Zealand are listed in GameStop’s most recent annual report, New Zealand is included in the company’s Australia reporting segment.
In the United States, the group is closing more than 400 stores this month following a large reduction in the previous financial year.
The company has also been winding back international operations across multiple markets as it leans harder on cost cutting while physical retail demand continues to shift.
EB Games says New Zealand customers will still be able to shop online for now and it plans to open access to the Australian website for New Zealand customers by the end of March 2026 that effectively shifts Kiwi shoppers onto the Australian ecommerce platform once local stores are gone.
EB Games says gift cards can be used in store and online until New Zealand stores close, and customers who miss the deadline can request a refund through customer service.
Deposits for pre orders on products releasing after 31 January will be cancelled and refunded while layby deposits can also be refunded if customers cannot collect before closure.
Consumer advocates in New Zealand have urged customers with vouchers, store credit and pre orders to act quickly and get clarity from the retailer, a reminder of the risks that rise whenever a chain enters wind down mode.
The specialist games retail model has been under pressure for years as digital downloads replace discs and big box and online competitors widen their range.
What happens next will depend on whether GameStop keeps treating physical stores as a shrinking cost base or as a brand and service advantage that still justifies a footprint in markets like Australia.
