All EB Games NZ stores face closure under new proposal

EB Games New Zealand has begun consulting staff on a proposal that could see the company close all of its operations in the country, potentially affecting every store and employee nationwide.

The retailer is understood to be considering a complete exit from the New Zealand market. Staff were informed through an internal email, seen by Stuff, that the move was “a proposal only and no final decision has been made at this time".

If the proposal goes ahead, all 38 EB Games stores currently operating across New Zealand would close, along with the company’s distribution operations. The email stated: “If the proposal were to proceed, it would mean that all roles within EB Games New Zealand would be disestablished,” noting that the process would involve a phased wind-down rather than an immediate closure. The total number of jobs at risk remains unclear.

According to the email, the proposal follows an extended period of financial difficulty. Staff were told the business has faced years of declining profits and continued pressure across the retail sector. The company reportedly recorded a multi-million-dollar loss in the 2024 financial year, with no meaningful recovery expected in the current year, Sanda Arambepola of Stuff has reported.

The New Zealand operation was described as no longer commercially viable, despite multiple attempts to improve performance. “While we have considered whether indications of recovery in the broader retail sector through late 2025 and heading into 2026 warrant continuing the business for a further period, this has not materialised in our New Zealand business to date, including through the Christmas trading period,” the email read, as quoted by Sanda Arambepola of Stuff.

“As a result, we are not confident that there will be a significant lift in performance moving forward,” Sanda Arambepola of Stuff has quoted.

EB Games has not yet made a public announcement about the proposal. Stuff has sought comment from both the company’s New Zealand and Australian operations, as reported by Sanda Arambepola of Stuff.

EB Games has been part of New Zealand’s gaming retail landscape for decades, with stores in major shopping malls and city centres across the country. The New Zealand business operates under its Australian parent company, Stuff has reported.