Game Group like for likes fall

Game Group has reported a 15.4 per cent drop in like for like sales in the 21 weeks to 27 June.

Total group sales were down by 9.1 per cent.In the UK and Ireland total sales were down by 12.4% and like for like sales fell by 15.8%. In the International business, total sales fell by 1.1% and like for like sales were down by 14.4 per cent. The company said that the lfl results were in line with expectations given the very strong sales in the comparative period (+25.0% lfl) in 2008, which included unprecedented software releases such as Mario Kart, Wii Fit and Grand Theft Auto (GTA) IV.

The group added that the second half software line up is very encouraging with strong titles such as Wii Fit Plus, DJ Hero, Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics, Professor Layton and Pandora's Box, Assassins Creed 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Singstar: Take That and Halo ODST, along with the annual sequels to bestsellers including Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, FIFA 2010, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, Need for Speed and Splinter Cell.

"Whilst we remain mindful of the significant challenges in the wider economic environment, our full year performance will be driven by the increased ownership of consoles which will increase demand for software," said chairman Peter Lewis.