It’s no surprise that GameStop has been declining in sales over the last few years. With many people shifting over to digital games and the impact of COVID-19 still being felt, it’s honestly a surprise that GameStop has lasted this long without being snatched up by another corporation. In Canada, however, it seems that the company will be consolidating a bit as French-Canadian entrepreneur Stephan Tetrault has acquired the company and is planning a relaunch soon.
As revealed by the company this morning, GameStop Canada is no more, and the retailer will be relaunched as EB Games Canada in the near future. The history of the Canadian branch is sort of bizarre, as it’s the reverse of the US. In Canada, Electronics Boutique Canada is the parent company of GameStop, and until 2021, the stores bore the name of “EB Games Canada.” Now, the physical locations will be reverting back to their original names under new ownership.
In a press release, Tetrault said, “This isn’t just a business decision—it’s about bringing something back that Canadians truly loved. We’re going to build something special here, with community, nostalgia, and innovation at its heart.” The idea is that the stores will begin to focus on more than just video games, and will feature things like “enhanced in-store events, expanded product lines, deeper integration with pop culture brands, and a renewed focus on Canadians.”
Jim Tyo, President of GameStop Canada, added, “We want EB Games Canada to be more than a store—we want it to be the hub for gaming and fandom culture across Canada. This is about passion, and that’s what’s going to drive every decision we make.” To that end, the current stores will be renovated over the coming months to feature new signage, while the website will receive a massive redesign to better serve customers.
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Written by Peter Glagowski
Peter has been a freelance gaming and film critic for over seven years. His passion for Nintendo is only matched by the size of his collection.
