EB Games announces closure of all stores in New Zealand

EB Games has confirmed it will be closing its remaining 38 stores in New Zealand.

As reported by RNZ, all outlets will cease operation on January 31, 2026, while its distribution centre will be shuttered a month later on February 28.

This follows an internal memo sent last week that the company was considering the closures as the New Zealand business was no longer viable.

EB Games Australia is unaffected by the decision, which currently operates 336 stores.

The company’s managing director Shane Stockwell said it had been approached by “numerous” third parties after it initially announced plans to shut down its stores.

However, “these parties did not present any proposals or solutions about how to keep the New Zealand business sustainable.”

It is unclear how many staff have been affected by the layoffs, though the firm noted there may be opportunities for employees to relocate to Australia.

In 2020, EB Games closed 19 of its “unprofitable” stores in Australia. New stores opened the same year, merged with its sister brand Zing Pop Culture.

EB Games launched in 1997 as Electronic Boutique, with the first New Zealand store opening in 2000 in Auckland. The game and pop culture merchandise retailer has been owned by GameStop since 2005.