Ubisoft may be gnashing its teeth at the one that got away, but the French publisher will likely be thankful for any extra padding in its account following the much publicized Woolworths collapse. GI.biz reports that the UK retail chain's recent demise, along with its distribution business EUK, could end up costing Ubi €1.5 million, or something in the neighborhood of $2 million.
Woolworths' going under is likely to be the subject of water cooler talk at other publishers as well, with UK tabloid The Sun suggesting earlier this week that both Microsoft and Nintendo could end up losing the millions of pounds currently owed to them by EUK. Truly the game industry is not insulated from the effects of the world's ongoing financial hardship. It's just unfortunate that in this global crisis, there is no Elika around to pull publishers back up to safety.
Reader Comments (22)
Posted: Dec 11th 2008 8:13PM (Unverified) said
I think the main reason is as follows: Woolsworth bought a whole lot of Ubisoft crap on credit. Woolsworth can't pay back Ubisoft (for obvious reasons). Ubisoft loses a ton of money.
Reply
Posted: Dec 11th 2008 8:14PM (Unverified) said
I also found the article kind of confusing.
It might be that Woolworths' distribution branch owes Ubi money.
"...Nintendo could end up losing the millions of pounds currently owed to them by EUK"
I would guess the same goes for Ubi
Reply
It might be that Woolworths' distribution branch owes Ubi money.
"...Nintendo could end up losing the millions of pounds currently owed to them by EUK"
I would guess the same goes for Ubi
Posted: Dec 11th 2008 8:05PM Supermanisdead said
I guess their "BIGGEST SALE EVER" wasn't BIG ENOUGH.
Reply
Posted: Dec 11th 2008 8:11PM (Unverified) said
Ubisoft, MS, and Nintendo will survive as will the games industry but still this must sting.
Reply
Posted: Dec 11th 2008 8:12PM (Unverified) said
Woolworths buy stock off EUK, EUK off publishers. Woolworths cant afford to pay back EUK, EUK cant afford to pay back publishers. Its a knock on effect. But for the places that dont go via EUK (GAME, Gamestation, independents), its a massive boost, as publishers are now forced to redirect all that stock via these outlets
Reply
Posted: Jan 7th 2009 2:21AM (Unverified) said
You too? I had one in New Jersey by me. Right next to the bowling alley haha.
Reply
Posted: Dec 11th 2008 8:56PM (Unverified) said
I didn't know Woolworth's is now Footlocker in the US. They are still doing pretty good off of Jordan's I would think.
Reply
Posted: Dec 11th 2008 9:29PM (Unverified) said
Woolworths. Now that's a name I haven't heard, in quite a while.
I guess I'm gonna be the first old fart to mention it's little brother, Woolco. The Wal-Mart of the 1970's.
Oh, how I miss that store. Atari 2600 games were usually about $5 cheaper than most of the other stores. All (U.S. Stores) gone in 1984.
Reply
I guess I'm gonna be the first old fart to mention it's little brother, Woolco. The Wal-Mart of the 1970's.
Oh, how I miss that store. Atari 2600 games were usually about $5 cheaper than most of the other stores. All (U.S. Stores) gone in 1984.
Posted: Dec 27th 2008 3:08PM (Unverified) said
Woolworths is still alive and thriving down under. It's a great grocery store that is Australia's second largest employer.
Reply
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 220 comments
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 153 comments
- David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 107 comments
- Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments
- Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix 93 comments









