Game Rush Debuts Sept 17 in Greater Los Angeles and Will Roll Out Nationally
This Fall; One-Stop Shopping for New Games, Game Consoles, Accessories and
Customer Service
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Blockbuster Inc.
(NYSE: BBI) a leading global provider of in-home movie and game entertainment,
will introduce its new Game Rush(TM) store-in-a-store concept in Southern
California next weekend with launch parties in several Southern California
locations. Game Rush will expand its position and market share in the growing
console games and games trading market.
Game Rush debuts in 77 retail locations throughout Southern California
this fall, and Blockbuster will expand this program to more than 400 locations
nationally before the end of the year. According to the NPD Group, Port
Washington, NY, the U.S. video game market, which includes portable and
console hardware, software and accessories, accounted for $10 billion in 2003.
Some analysts predict the video gaming industry will grow to $16.7 billion in
2005. With the debut of Game Rush, Blockbuster is positioning itself to
become a leading provider of games, game consoles, accessories, and related
products in select markets across the country, including 81 stores in Southern
California.
The new Game Rush store-in-store program will be featured in grand opening
ceremonies at locations in Cerritos, West Covina, Whittier, Torrance, and West
Hills, September 17 through September 19. Each store offers expanded
selections of new retail game software for the Sony Playstation 2, Microsoft
Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube and Gameboy platforms, hardware and software
accessories, gaming and game literature, action figures and other gaming
collectibles. In addition, expanded assortments of pre-played games are
available for sale, rental or trading. Game Rush offers multiple interactive
stations for live play of top games so gamers can try before they rent or buy.
Each Game Rush occupies about 900 square feet within an existing Blockbuster
location.
To establish Blockbuster as the go-to game destination, Game Rush
locations are staffed by Game Experts who know the games and are excited to
share their knowledge with other gamers (and parents) and help them select
games that are right for them.
"Game Rush was developed in direct response to consumer demand," said
Thibault de Chatellus, senior vice president and category general manager for
games at Blockbuster. "Game Rush positions Blockbuster as the only major
national retailer where consumers can rent, buy new and previously-played
games, and even trade games all in one convenient location. Game Rush truly
is the complete source for games. The design of the concept, integrated
within a Blockbuster store, enables us to take advantage of our existing store
traffic, while leveraging our existing operating expenses and capital
investment."
The Game Rush launch is supported by in-store and out-of-store marketing
throughout the fourth quarter, targeting the gaming demographic. Blockbuster
Game Rush locations feature separate sections for rental, new retail and
previously played retail. Displays within each section are divided by gaming
platform. This enables customers to quickly identify the rental or retail
section they are interested in, and to zoom in on the selections in their
platform.
Blockbuster Game Rush locations should allow the company to capitalize on
the growing practice of game trading, by allowing customers to trade in game
software and hardware for store credit that can be used at any Blockbuster
store.
"Game trading is a great way for customers to save when they look for a
new gaming challenge by trading up for the hottest new games or choose from a
vast selection of quality-guaranteed, previously-played games," added de
Chatellus. "Trading provides great value for Blockbuster consumers."
As an additional guide for new gamers and parents, all video and PC games
in U.S. Blockbuster stores display the ESRB ratings to assist customers in
selecting games appropriate for their families. Blockbuster does not carry
Adult Only games or Rating Pending games.
"Game Rush at Blockbuster is just one more step we're taking to achieve
Blockbuster's goal of becoming the complete source for in-home movies and
video games," says de Chatellus. "Customers have responded well to the
concept, and we are excited to introduce Game Rush to the sophisticated
Southern California market and expanding into new markets across the country."
About Blockbuster
Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) is a publicly traded subsidiary of Viacom
Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) and a leading global provider of in-home movies and
game entertainment, with more than 8,700 stores throughout the Americas,
Europe, Asia and Australia. The company may be accessed worldwide at
http://www.blockbuster.com. Viacom is a leading global media company, with
preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor
advertising and online.
Safe Harbor Statement: This news release contains forward-looking
statements relating to Blockbuster's "Game Rush" video store-in-store concept,
including, without limitation, statements relating to Blockbuster's plans to
leverage its existing operations in order to take advantage of projected
growth in the games industry and the expected timing for the roll-out of such
stores. These forward-looking statements are based on Blockbuster's current
intent, belief, expectations, estimates and projections and are not guarantees
of future performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties,
assumptions and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could
cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated
by them. Factors include, among others: consumer demand for games; consumer
acceptance of the store-in-store concept; the impact of competitive product
and service offerings, pricing and concepts; and other factors as set forth in
Blockbuster's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Cautionary Statements" in
Blockbuster's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2003.
SOURCE Blockbuster Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.blockbuster.com
CONTACT:
Mike Furtney, mjfurtney@mindspring.com, or
Joann Killeen, joannk@mindspring.com, both of Killeen Furtney
Group, +1-310-476-6941, for Blockbuster Inc.
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