GAME leads xmas High Street success

Specialist retail chain GAME has reported the strongest performance by a single retailer over the Christmas period, according to a report from financial services firm Grant Thornton.

The Game Group's recent recording of a sales increase of 16.6 per cent was way above the average increase for the entertainment sector of just 5 per cent.

Over three quarters of the UK retail sector reported improved like-for-like Christmas sales in 2006, compared to only two thirds in 2005.

"The entertainment sector was particularly bolstered by a 16.6 per cent sales increase experienced by The Game Group, which was also the strongest performance reported by any individual retailer," said the report.

"There has been a stark contrast between those retailers that got it right this Christmas and those that got it wrong," said David Bush, head of Grant Thornton's retail services team.

"Much of the success can be attributed to careful planning which ensured that stock levels and ranges were optimally balanced and that profit margins were maximised."

"This allowed the majority of retailers to hold their nerve right up until Christmas, ensuring that the bulk of promotional discounting occurred after December 25," he added.