Game wary despite bumper Christmas

Demand for Nintendo games and consoles set Game Group among the Christmas high street winners today but the retailer also warned of slower growth this year.

The group saw UK like-for-like sales jump by more than 30% in the six weeks to January 12, with demand for Nintendo’s Wii and DS Lite consoles outstripping supply in an “outstanding” festive season.

Basingstoke-based Game is confident of continued strong demand this year, but warned of “limited” like-for-like sales growth in 2008 amid tougher trading comparisons – sending its shares down as much as 6%.

Total sales at the group, which bought specialist rival Gamestation for £74m €98m) last May, were 76% up over Christmas.