NEWS Games booming for The Hut Group


Online retail giant sees weekly video game market share for PS3 and 360 hit 10 per cent by Christopher Dring


WEB GIANT The Hut Group is fast becoming one of the UK’s biggest games retailers, after reporting a huge leap in sales last year. For 2010 The Hut Group saw its sales rise 70 per cent to £87m, up from £51m in 2009.


The biggest growth area for the Group was in non- entertainment, with sales of footwear, health, gifting, toys and accessories up 600 per cent year-on-year. But games are a powerful part of the overall mix. The firm’s commercial director Richard Chapple


told MCVits weekly share of the UK games market in 2010 peaked at just under four per cent, with the firm


“ by James Batchelor


IMAGINE Publishing has announced that its Play magazine has sold more than 10 million copies. This sales milestone for the UK’s longest-running independent PlayStation magazine coincides with its 200th issue, available now.


by James Batchelor


THE INDUSTRY’S summer charity event is back. This year’s GamesAid Golf & Spa Day will take place on Thursday, June 30th at The Grove, Watford.


Last year GamesAid raised over £50,000 from the Golf & Spa Day – the largest amount the charity has achieved from a single


www.mcvuk.com


We are hitting almost ten per cent market share on PS3


and Xbox 360. Richard Chapple, The Hut Group


hitting over ten per cent on next-gen platforms. “Video games are continuing to be really


strong for us overall,” he said. “We are hitting almost ten per cent market share on PS3 and Xbox 360. “We have a lot of work to do with Nintendo. You will see some super things from the team in terms of our proposition around 3DS.” 80 per cent of The Hut


Group’s sales came from the firm’s own websites – such as Zavvi.com. But that doesn’t mean the firm will be placing less emphasis on its partner sites it runs for Tesco, Argos, WH Smith and Asda.


“This split is great for us as a business,


Play mag reaches 10m sales milestone


Playwas first published in 1995 around the launch of the original PlayStation and is the first independent Sony gaming magazine to surpass 10m sales. “In an ever-changing industry, the Playbrand has been a true constant for over fifteen years,” said editor-in-chief Aaron Asadi.


“But it’s the future the


Play brand is focused on and that’s what our readers respond to. Independent market leader Play continues to evolve, with the magazine, website and iPad edition ready for even more stellar success in 2011.” The 200th issue of Play was the first to be handled


by Imagine’s newest hire Ryan King, who joined the magazine’s team as editor. “Expect Playto be the first to cover exclusives with unparalleled coverage and unrivaled enthusiasm,” said King. “Look out for Play making big strides this year.” Imagine Publishing: 01202 586200


GamesAid Golf & Spa Day returns in June


event – and co-organiser Richard Stickler believes this year will trump that. “Things will get bigger and better in 2011 by going back to basics,” he said. “This year we have cut proceedings back to 20 minutes at the start of the awards dinner, giving people more time to relax and network.


“But let’s not forget that this event cannot happen


without the support of the industry. Every year we have an aggressive fundraising target to beat and this year is no exception.”


Intent Media has signed as the event’s exclusive trade sponsor. Tickets for golf and dinner are £360 per person, while spa and dinner costs £275 per person. Prices for groups of four range from


£1,000 for the spa to £1,250 for the golf. The drinks reception, awards presentation and dinner costs £165 per person. Rooms will also be available at reduced rates. For more about sponsorship or tickets, contact Richard.Stickler @thq.com or Louise.Powell @nintendo.co.uk. www.golfandspaday.com


January 21st 2011 7


because it is our customers and our profit,” said Chapple. “But it also means we have the resources to invest in our technology platform and the staff. It will be a benefit for all – we will not leave our retail partners behind.” The Hut Group: 01606 338197


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