GameStop is an American retailer of video games, consumer electronics, and gaming merchandise. The company was founded in 1984 and was recently the subject of a short squeeze by Reddit investors.
GameStop operates a mass-market business model with no significant variation between customer segments. The company has a value proposition comprised of four parts: accessibility, innovation, convenience, and brand/status.
GameStop may enjoy a near-monopoly in video game retail stores, but it still competes with big-box retailer Best Buy and eCommerce giant Amazon. In the United Kingdom and Australia, the company faces strong competition from Game Retailed Limited and JB Hi-Fi respectively.
Origin story
GameStop is an American retailer of video games, consumer electronics, and gaming merchandise. The company was founded in 1984 by Leonard Riggio, Daniel DeMatteo, and Richard Fontaine.
GameStop has been negatively impacted by the shift to online and downloadable video games, but the company share price skyrocketed in early 2021 due to a short squeeze orchestrated by Reddit investors.
With that said, let’s take a look at the company’s business model and some of its main competitors in the gaming industry.
GameStop business model
GameStop operates a mass-market business model with no significant variation between customer segments. That is, the company markets itself to any consumer seeking video games and related products.
Accessibility – GameStop stores are typically in high-traffic malls in major metro areas.
Innovation – through the GameStop Technology Institute, the company partners with academic institutions and technology firms to develop innovative solutions.
Convenience – this is facilitated by a buy-sell-trade program where gamers can donate unwanted software or hardware and receive store credit in return.
Brand/status – the global presence of GameStop reinforces the brand. The company also publishes Game Informer magazine, a leading print and digital video game publication.
Customer relationships
GameStop customers have little interaction with employees, with the company website providing information on new releases, game availability, and store locations.
Key partners
The company deals with more than 80 different manufacturers, including Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Electronic Arts.
To boost sales, GameStop also operates an affiliate program where third-party affiliates promote GameStop products on their respective platforms.
Cost structure
GameStop has a cost-driven structure where expenses are minimized via automation and low-price value propositions. Major costs are in the areas of sales, marketing, and administration.
Revenue streams
The company generates revenue from the sale of its products to consumers, whether that be through its website, affiliate program, or bricks-and-mortar stores.
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Gennaro is the creator of FourWeekMBA, which reached about four million business people, comprising C-level executives, investors, analysts, product managers, and aspiring digital entrepreneurs in 2022 alone | He is also Director of Sales for a high-tech scaleup in the AI Industry | In 2012, Gennaro earned an International MBA with emphasis on Corporate Finance and Business Strategy.
