EB Games, Australia's largest game chain store, is closing several locations around Australia. In a statement given to Kotaku Australia, the retailer has said that 19 unprofitable stores around the country are closing; however, 20 stores have disappeared from their online store locator.

"Where possible, staff were offered the opportunity to work in surrounding stores," the statement reads. It also notes that several more "large format" stores, combining EB Games and pop culture outlet Zing, will be opening around the country.

According to Kotaku, the following stores look set to close:

Bribie Island EB Games QLD 4507

Brickworks Marketplace EB Games SA 5031

City Cross EB Games SA 5000

Cleveland EB Games QLD 4163

Dandenong EB Games VIC 3175

Dianella EB Games WA 6059

Hallet Cove EB Games SA 5158

Hamilton EB Games VIC 3300

Harbourtown Adelaide EB Games SA 5950

Inala EB Games QLD 4077

Inverell EB Games NSW 236

Kalamunda EB Games WA 6076

Lutwyche EB Games QLD 4030

Majura Park EB Games ACT 2609

Rockdale EB Games NSW 2216

Tamworth EB Games NSW 2340

Underwood EB Games QLD 4119

Winston Hills EB Games NSW 2153

These stores are expected to close by the end of January 2020, and will be discounting stock from 20-60%. It is unclear whether any of the 40 EB Games stores in New Zealand will be affected.

EB Games is the Australian subsidiary of major US retailer Gamestop. Their parent company has fallen on hard times itself, and had to layoff over 100 employees in 2019, but there's a plan in place to turn things around.



They previously carried the Australian edition of Game Informer, which was cancelled in early 2019. The first store (then named Electronics Boutique) opened in 1997, and as of now there are over 450 stores in operation in Australia with over 5000 employees.

Our thoughts are with any and all affected staff.