adminEB Games New Zealand store closures will affect all 38 remaining outlets, with stores scheduled to stop operating on January 31, 2026. The company has also confirmed that its distribution centre will close later, giving customers and employees two separate dates to keep in mind.
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EB Games New Zealand store closures: key dates
The remaining EB Games stores in New Zealand are expected to close on January 31, 2026. The company’s distribution centre is scheduled to cease operations on February 28, 2026, one month after the retail outlets shut.
Customers planning to visit a store should check for updates about local opening hours and any arrangements for purchases or services before travelling. The closure announcement does not specify what customer services will be available during the final weeks of trading, so it is best to confirm details directly through current company communications.
Why is EB Games closing its New Zealand stores?
The decision follows an internal memo indicating that the New Zealand business was no longer considered viable. Managing director Shane Stockwell said the company had received interest from numerous third parties after announcing its plans. However, those parties did not put forward proposals or solutions that would make the business sustainable.
The company has not stated how many employees will be affected by the closures. It has said there may be opportunities for some staff to relocate to Australia. The announcement does not provide further details about eligibility, available roles or relocation arrangements.
Will EB Games Australia also close?
No. The New Zealand decision does not affect EB Games Australia, which operates 336 stores. The two businesses therefore have different operating plans, and the announced New Zealand closure dates do not apply to Australian outlets.
EB Games closed 19 stores in Australia in 2020 after describing them as unprofitable. New stores opened that year in a combination with its sister brand, Zing Pop Culture. That earlier restructuring is separate from the current New Zealand announcement.
EB Games’ history in New Zealand
EB Games began in 1997 under the name Electronic Boutique. Its first New Zealand store opened in Auckland in 2000. The retailer sells video games and pop culture merchandise, and has been owned by GameStop since 2005.
The New Zealand closures will bring the company’s local retail operations to an end after more than two decades. For customers, the main dates to remember are January 31, 2026, for stores and February 28, 2026, for the distribution centre. These EB Games New Zealand store closures do not signal a shutdown of the Australian business.
