Over the next few months, the UK retail chain GAME will actively phase out trade-ins and pre-owned game sales. Standalone GAME Stores across the UK will continue selling pre-owned games, but only until stocks last.
GAME will stop accepting trade-ins and pre-owned games from 16th February 2024.
In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson for Frasers Group said, “As part of the integration of Game, we will be phasing out the trade-in, pre-owned and Game Elite offerings in the UK over the coming months.
“Pre-owned will still be available in our standalone stores across the UK while stock lasts, and Game Elite will still be available until the end of summer.”
Frasers Group is the parent company of a number of UK chains, including House of Fraser, Sports Direct, and more. GAME was bought in 2019 for £52m by Frasers Group, formerly known as Sports Direct International.
The move will mean CeX will be the only major UK retailer still accepting and selling pre-owned games. Of course, independent stores will continue accepting trade-ins, at least until future consoles transition to an all-digital format.