Grainger Games

Grainger Games was a British specialist video-game retailer headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne. The business began in 1996 when Stephen Bowyer operated a stall in Newcastle's Grainger Market. From that local starting point, it developed into a regional chain with stores across Northern England and Scotland, including locations in Grimsby, Hull, Chesterfield, Doncaster, Leeds, Derby, York and Sheffield. It also operated a concession in Fenwick, Newcastle. The company positioned itself as an independent alternative within the UK games-retail market. Its shops sold video games and related gaming merchandise, although the available reference material does not provide a complete catalogue of product lines, formats or private-label offerings. Grainger Games' geographic emphasis was regional rather than nationwide, with its strongest presence in the North of England and Scotland. At one point, the business planned to expand to between 75 and 100 shops by 2013, with approximately 40 of those stores expected to be in Yorkshire. The planned scale was not ultimately achieved, although the chain reached 67 shops before its collapse. Grainger Games received industry recognition as MCV's Independent Retailer of the Year in 2008 and again in 2010. Its profile also extended into the games-media community: the company was the principal sponsor of the 2011 Games Media Awards. That sponsorship generated negative attention because of reported conduct at the event, including disruptive audience behaviour and provocative presentation choices associated with the company's involvement. The business expanded its workforce during its growth phase. By June 2014, it employed 419 people. Its later failure occurred during a difficult period for UK high-street retail, when other chains, including Toys "R" Us and Maplin, were also experiencing serious problems. On 21 March 2018, multiple investors withdrew credit facilities, placing Grainger Games in a critical financial position. Store closures followed within days: 21 of the chain's 67 shops were told on 28 March not to open, and the same instruction was given to the remaining 46 stores on the following day. The company's corporate website was also taken offline. Grainger Games ceased trading on 28 March 2018. Approximately 400 employees were made redundant, with payment reported for working hours through 31 March. The closure ended the operation of a prominent independent regional games retailer rather than transferring the brand into a continuing parent group. No reliable source in the supplied material identifies a successor owner, acquiring company, post-closure revival or current website.

Grainger Games was established in 1996 by Stephen Bowyer as a market stall in Newcastle upon Tyne's Grainger Market. The business took its name and original identity from that local trading environment. It subsequently moved from a single-stall operation toward a shop-based retail model, opening stores in towns and cities across Northern England and Scotland. During its expansion, Grainger Games announced ambitions to operate between 75 and 100 shops by 2013, with roughly 40 intended for Yorkshire. The chain opened in locations including Grimsby, Hull, Chesterfield, Doncaster, Leeds, Derby, York and Sheffield. It also developed a concession in Fenwick in Newcastle. The planned store count exceeded the 67 locations the company ultimately operated, but the expansion made Grainger Games one of the more visible independent games retailers in its region. The company built a reputation within the UK games trade and was recognised by MCV as Independent Retailer of the Year in 2008 and 2010. In 2011 it was the main sponsor of the Games Media Awards. The event became controversial because attendees associated with the company were criticised for heckling the compere and award recipients. The reported use of hired dwarves and booth models to present awards, together with orange condoms placed on dinner tables, also attracted criticism. These reports formed the main documented reputational controversy connected with the brand. By June 2014, Grainger Games had 419 employees, indicating a substantial operational footprint for an independent regional retailer. Its stores operated in a market increasingly affected by online competition, changing consumer buying habits and pressure on physical retail. The supplied reference material does not establish a detailed account of the company's commercial strategy, ownership structure or financial statements, so those aspects cannot be described reliably beyond the events surrounding its closure. The final crisis unfolded in March 2018. On 21 March, multiple investors withdrew credit facilities, reportedly leaving the company financially critical. On 28 March, 21 of the 67 stores were instructed not to open because they would not be included in any future bid for the company. The remaining 46 stores received the same instruction the following day. The corporate website was taken down, displaying a 404 error instead of continuing trading information. Grainger Games ceased trading effective 28 March 2018. All approximately 400 employees were made redundant, with reported payment for hours worked through 31 March. The closure occurred during a broader period of distress for UK retailers, alongside the failures or severe difficulties of chains such as Toys "R" Us and Maplin. The available sources do not identify a completed acquisition, restructuring, successor brand or later return to the market. Grainger Games is therefore recorded as a defunct British video-game retail chain.

• 2018

  Retail chain ceases trading

  [1]Grainger Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  After credit support is withdrawn and stores are closed, Grainger Games stops trading on 28 March and all 67 shops shut.

• 2014

  Workforce reaches 419 employees

  [1]Grainger Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  The company is reported to have 419 employees by June.

• 2011

  Games Media Awards sponsorship

  [1]Grainger Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Grainger Games becomes the main sponsor of the Games Media Awards.

• 2010

  Second reported MCV independent-retailer award

  [1]Grainger Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  The company receives the Independent Retailer of the Year award from MCV again.

• 2008

  First reported MCV independent-retailer award

  [1]Grainger Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Grainger Games is named MCV's Independent Retailer of the Year.

• 1996

  Business begins at Grainger Market

  [1]Grainger Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Stephen Bowyer starts Grainger Games as a market stall in Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne.

A regional independent video-game retailer serving Northern England and Scotland, with a store-based alternative to larger national chains.

• Software

  Video games

  Video games were the retailer's core merchandise category. Grainger Games sold games through its physical shops as part of its specialist store proposition. The supplied sources do not provide a reliable breakdown by platform, publisher, format or new-versus-used inventory.

• Hardware and accessories

  Gaming hardware and accessories

  The chain's video-game retail format included gaming-related hardware and accessories as typical associated merchandise. Specific console brands, accessory ranges and product names are not documented in the supplied reference material.

• 2011

  Controversy surrounding Games Media Awards behaviour

  As main sponsor of the 2011 Games Media Awards, Grainger Games was associated with criticism over reported heckling of the compere and award winners. The event also involved provocative presentation elements, including hired performers and orange condoms placed on dinner tables.

  Source

Read more

• 2011Games Media Awards sponsorship

  United Kingdom

  Grainger Games acted as the principal sponsor of the Games Media Awards, connecting the retailer with the UK games-media and industry community.

  Outcome. The sponsorship increased the brand's visibility within the games-media sector but was followed by criticism of conduct and presentation choices at the event.

  Source

• 2018

  Stores excluded from prospective rescue bidsStrategy

  Background

  After multiple investors withdrew credit offerings on 21 March, the company entered a critical financial position.

  Action taken

  Twenty-one stores were told not to open on 28 March because they would not be part of any future bid, and the same instruction was extended to the remaining 46 stores the following day.

  Aftermath

  Grainger Games ceased trading on 28 March 2018, all 67 shops closed and approximately 400 employees were made redundant.

  Source

1. 1Grainger Gamesen.wikipedia.org