Competition Commission clears Gamestation acquisition

The Competition Commission has finally cleared the acquisition of Gamestation by High Street rival GAME.

After announcing the preliminary results late last year, the official body has stated it does not expect there will be a substantial lessening of competition in the UK gaming retail market.

"The board of The GAME Group is pleased to note that the Competition Commission, in its final report published today, has unconditionally cleared the completed acquisition of Gamestation," said GAME in a short statement.

GAME announced in May 2007 that is was acquiring Gamestation, a move that adds a further 235 stores to its UK and Ireland group, which now totals 650 outlets in the region.

Peter Lewis, chairman of the GAME Group has stated that the company intends to keep the Gamestation brand alongside GAME, as both stores appeal to a different consumer.

"By investing in both brands we will further enhance the group's retail strategy while continuing to deliver and broaden our consumer reach," he said at the time of the acquisition announcement.