We would love to hear your thoughts about our site and services, please take our survey here.
London South East prides itself on its community spirit, and in order to keep the chat section problem free, we ask all members to follow these simple rules. In these rules, we refer to ourselves as "we", "us", "our". The user of the website is referred to as "you" and "your".
By posting on our share chat boards you are agreeing to the following:
The IP address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. As a user you agree to any information you have entered being stored in a database. You agree that we have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic or board at any time should we see fit. You agree that we have the right to remove any post without notice. You agree that we have the right to suspend your account without notice.
Please note some users may not behave properly and may post content that is misleading, untrue or offensive.
It is not possible for us to fully monitor all content all of the time but where we have actually received notice of any content that is potentially misleading, untrue, offensive, unlawful, infringes third party rights or is potentially in breach of these terms and conditions, then we will review such content, decide whether to remove it from this website and act accordingly.
Premium Members are members that have a premium subscription with London South East. You can subscribe here.
London South East does not endorse such members, and posts should not be construed as advice and represent the opinions of the authors, not those of London South East Ltd, or its affiliates.
what about the trade payables?
Draft,in my opinion Sport Direct will bid for this because it will be value enhancing for both companies.And based on some of their other recent deals they could snap up a real bargain here even at 45p - 50p.The reason i say that is Game Digital current market cap is just 44m but the recent latest results showed earnings per share of almost 10p and cash plus cash equivalent of 95m and a clearly recovering enterprise value.Regardless of any current problems in MA,s plans to get hold of Debs he will be aware that if they don't move on Game soon somebody else will and will then either miss a nice prize or be forced to pay more.In my opinion if they came in with a 45p offer for Game it would get shareholder and management approval.Mike is a very shrewd businessman and has he common sense approach of doing a deal while it can be done favourably.
The boss of Dixons Carphone on Tuesday said he was banking on gaming to lure shoppers, setting up a High Street showdown with retail tycoon Mike Ashley. Chief executive Alex Baldock, who joined Dixons in April to implement a new strategy, has opened 17 “gaming arenas” within its shops, where customers compete against each other on in-store consoles, and plans to have 140 by next year. He added: “We’re pretty excited about this. Gaming makes stores a much more exciting destination. Shoppers can come in and get a feel of the tech.” The move could turn Dixons into a direct competitor to retailer Game Digital, in which Ashley owns a 25% stake. The Sports Direct tycoon paid £3.2 million last year for half of Game’s e-sports business Belong to set up similar gaming arenas in Sports Direct stores.
The UK loves video games. In 2017, Brits spent a record £5.1 billion on games and related products. Just this weekend I was shown wonderful creations by my great-nieces as they played Minecraft. As the Minister responsible for video games, it gives me great pleasure to champion this highly-skilled and innovative industry, which is growing faster than our economy as a whole.
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-03-29-digital-minister-margot-james
After posting its first-half results, Game is focusing on its transformation strategy bolstered by the expansion of its Belong gaming arenas.
The retailer posted a 20.3% increase in pre-tax profit year on year to £14.8m in the 26 weeks to January 26, though revenue declined 4.7% to £493m due to falling sales.
The specialist retailer plans to boost those numbers by focusing on its transformation strategy to go from seller of physical products to one providing gaming experiences.
Game plans to open much larger arenas with up to 50 seats
The driving force of the retailer’s transformation plan is to roll out more Belong gaming arenas, which are found in Game and Sports Direct stores as well as standalone locations.
Game chief executive Martyn Gibbs said: “We’ve got two new Belong arenas that have opened in the half.
This is a no brainer for MA and a perfect fit for Sports Direct as it will enhance both companies.I think he will get this for 45p - 50p and still be a bargain.It is currently valued at half its cash and cash equiv levels and a board that i think would like to work with him.As for Debs i think 5p was just a starting point,a clue to values lay in his offer for Danish co IMO
lol debs he would get for 5p.
Interesting he has holdings just under the (required to bid thresholds) in both companies.My hunch is he will get both,Debs for around 12p and Game for 45p - 50p.
great spot
29th March 2019 - 12.17pm
Business Live Latest:
Mike Ashley and Debenhams shareholders have been thrown a lifeline by Debenhams management,the retailer said it would continue with plans to cut the number of its stores and negotiate rent reductions.The financial deal leaves the door open for Mike Ashley's Sports Direct,which has been has been vying to seize control of Debenhams,to make a bid.Chairman Terry Duddy said "We are pleased to have agreed this comprehensive funding package which secures the future of the Debenhams business" he continued "We have also preserved a route for our shareholders to participate in the future of the business but this requires the support of our major shareholder".One senior retail analyst predicts by this time next week Mr Ashley could have added both Debenhams and Game Digital to his retail empire.
29th March 2019 - 09.52am
Business Live Latest:
Mike Ashley,s attempt to gain control of Debenhams is looking less and less likely after the bondholders decision.There has been direct opposition and outright resistance from senior directors at Debenhams for some time now to the Sport Direct boss and his potential plans for the company.News released so far this week suggest Mr Ashley may have been outmaneuvered by Debenhams management,and could all end in a legal wrangle in the courts if the CVA goes ahead.But there could still be a few unexpected twists and turns yet in this saga given that the stakes are so high and the high profile of the players involved.Mr Ashley is building somewhat of a retail empire though with recent acquisitions of Flannels,Evans Cycles,and House of Frazer,and is likely to add Game Digital to his empire shortly too.Debenhams has a loyal band of small shareholders that have been dismayed by recent news announcements by the company,and questions will be asked how a once respected high street giant has ended up in its current position.Senior Debenhams management could come under pressure as shareholder anger grows.
that's a deb date
Someone mentioned on twitter that MA has until the 22nd April to make a bid!... is this correct and why?
Thanks in advance
GLA
we don't know what the offer price will be of course. the trend with sports direct is that they do tend to make an offer once they go near 30%
I think theyd be silly to say no
How do you know they won't say no?
I think a potential bid here must be close cuz mike is getting pissed off with DEB board now.
GMD wont say no to a bid offer from MA
SD had 19 stores in Nov18 with game/belong inside. If you think that there is no correlation between that and the fact that they have since increased to 29% then you need help. Those were there to trial the business model. You can assume that it was a roaring success. TO happening imo
#GMD GAME DIGITAL - thoughts
Jan19 Interim Results Revenue £493m
Net cash Op activities £41.6m
Cash & cash equivalents £95.5m
Group Adjusted EBITDA £25.8m
Growth in BELONG events &Esports
UK Retail £4.9m cost savings
Many short term H/St leases - move away from H/St. Deal Ann. with Sports Direct in Nov 18 to move to mezz floors of retail stores and also BELONG (gaming areas). 19 existed in Nov 18, more rolling out into 2019 as h/st leases expire. SP has plenty growth allowing for a temp slowing of growth short for adapting new strategy.
Sports Direct increased to 29.9% holdings 25/3/19 - Mike Ashley recently stated before an MP committee discussing the high street how companies like GAME could put e-gaming stations (BELONG) into redundant areas of big stores to attract people to shopping areas.
Take Over Bid coming...
Mike not bidding for this. war chest is ready. jd have pounced on foot. mikes bid for findel and deb. there's no other major m and a on the high street right now. he needs to consolidate.
When you think about it from Ashleys point of view it makes sense - hes already paying ground rent on SportsDirect sites so to put GAME into the Mezz floors isn't extra rent for him.......It will simply attract more people to his stores as will the BELONG gaming areas within the GAME section....there was 19 in No 18 more have already and will roll out once short term high st rents come up
talking about GAME stores going into mezz floor space of Sports Direct Stores with dedicated gaming areas (BELONG) to attract foot fall https://twitter.com/MarcDicks/status/1111258649748520960
more retail space lost to JD AND he can put belong and live gaming into bigger stores.
added a few, I think mike Ashley doesn't have a choice and has to take this over as he is running out of option on the high street. jd has taken foot, he might not get DEB, and findel said no