EB Games to Exit New Zealand Market with All 38 Stores Closing by End of January
EB Games, the Australian-based video game and pop culture merchandise retailer, has announced the complete closure of its New Zealand business operations, with all remaining stores set to permanently shut their doors on January 31, 2026. The decision marks the end of EB Games' presence in the New Zealand market and represents a significant shift in the company's regional strategy.
The closure announcement came through a series of communications to employees from Shane Stockwell, managing director of EB Games Australia & New Zealand. An initial letter sent to staff the previous week indicated that EB Games was considering the shutdown of all remaining New Zealand stores and the New Zealand Distribution Centre. A subsequent confirmation letter sent on Wednesday formalized the decision, establishing January 31 as the final operating day for all EB Games retail locations throughout New Zealand, with the distribution centre scheduled to cease operations on February 28.
The New Zealand operation currently operates 38 stores across the country, a significant retail footprint that will be eliminated within the coming weeks. The company's Australian operations remain unaffected by the New Zealand closure, with GameStop's latest annual report indicating 336 EB Games stores continue operating in Australia.
The financial performance of the New Zealand business has been the primary driver behind the closure decision. Stockwell indicated that EB Games' New Zealand operations are no longer commercially viable and experienced substantial losses during the 2024 fiscal year, with the company reporting multi-million dollar losses. The broader retail environment has contributed to the deteriorating financial position, with sluggish market conditions and minimal consumer confidence affecting performance. Company leadership expressed low confidence that the retail landscape would improve in the near term, making the prospect of business recovery appear unlikely.
Prior to the formal closure announcement, EB Games received approaches from multiple third parties expressing interest in acquiring or continuing the New Zealand operations. However, none of these interested parties presented viable proposals or solutions that would have enabled the New Zealand business to achieve long-term sustainability. The lack of realistic rescue options ultimately contributed to the decision to cease operations entirely.
The closure represents the culmination of extended financial struggles facing EB Games' New Zealand operations. The company had previously undertaken significant and repeated efforts to revitalize the business and improve its financial performance, but these turnaround initiatives failed to produce sustainable results. The retail sector more broadly has faced considerable headwinds in recent years, and EB Games has not proven immune to the broader challenges affecting brick-and-mortar gaming retailers globally.
The announcement raises questions about employment implications for the approximately 38 store locations and their associated staff. While the closure letter did not provide specific information regarding job losses or transition arrangements, EB Games indicated there may be opportunities for New Zealand-based employees to relocate and pursue employment opportunities within the Australian EB Games operations, though no guarantees were provided regarding the availability or scope of such opportunities.