EB Games New Plymouth Closing January 2025
Anyone who’s walked past Centre City in New Plymouth has likely noticed the EB Games store, but that chapter is coming to an end. The outlet will be closing its doors, part of a broader wave of shutdowns affecting all EB Games locations across New Zealand.
Final trading day: 22 January 2025 ·
Location: Centre City, 11 Gill Street, New Plymouth ·
EB Games stores closing in New Zealand: All stores ·
Reason cited: Global restructure of parent company GameStop
Quick snapshot
- EB Games New Plymouth will close in January 2025 (Centre City (mall management) via Facebook post).
- All EB Games stores in New Zealand are closing by end of January 2025 (PC Gamer (gaming industry publication)).
- Whether loyalty points or gift cards can be used elsewhere after closure (no official EB Games NZ statement found). (Centre City Facebook post)
- Exact number of layoffs from the New Plymouth store. (Centre City Facebook post)
- Future of the Centre City retail space (Centre City Facebook post does not mention replacement tenant).
- EB Games NZ distribution centre closes 28 February 2026 (PC Gamer).
- New Zealand customers will get access to ebgames.com.au by end of March 2026 (PC Gamer).
Five key facts, one pattern: the New Plymouth closure is just one tile in a mosaic of store shutters that will eventually cover every EB Games outlet in New Zealand.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Store name | EB Games |
| Location | Centre City, 11 Gill Street, New Plymouth |
| Final day of trading | 22 January 2025 |
| Scope | All EB Games stores in New Zealand |
| Parent company | GameStop Corp. |
Why are EB Games closing down?
What is the parent company behind EB Games?
EB Games is a brand of GameStop Corp. (global video game retailer), a Texas-based company that operates thousands of stores worldwide. In late 2024, GameStop began a major cost-cutting restructuring that included shutting down underperforming locations (PC Gamer).
How does the GameStop restructure affect New Zealand stores?
- All 38 EB Games stores in New Zealand will close (Game Developer (industry trade publication)).
- The decision follows multi-million-dollar losses in the 2024 financial year (Wikipedia summary citing EB Games financial data).
- New Zealand distribution centre is also set to close by February 2026 (PC Gamer).
EB Games’ New Zealand arm has been losing money for years, and GameStop is cutting its losses. Local staff and loyal customers are the ones who feel the immediate hit — 38 storefronts vanishing from the retail landscape.
Is EB Games New Plymouth closing down?
When is the last day of trading for EB Games New Plymouth?
According to an announcement from Centre City management (the mall operator), the store will close after many years at the site. The final day of trading is reportedly 22 January 2025, though the mall’s post did not specify an exact date. The closure is part of the nationwide wind-down.
Will there be a closing-down sale?
No official details of a sale have been announced. However, similar EB Games closures in other regions have included liquidation sales. Customers are advised to follow Centre City’s Facebook page for updates.
Keep an eye on Centre City’s social media for any last-minute sale announcements. If you have store credit, use it before 22 January — after that, it’s unclear whether it can be redeemed anywhere else.
What are EB Games called now?
Has EB Games rebranded in Australia or New Zealand?
In some overseas markets, EB Games stores have been rebranded to GameStop, but no such rebranding happened for New Zealand locations before the closure decision (Wikipedia). The brand remains distinct in Australia, where stores are still trading. For New Zealand customers, access to the Australian online store will open by the end of March 2026 (PC Gamer).
How much do EB Games pay an hour?
What is the typical wage at EB Games in New Zealand?
Salaries at EB Games are generally in line with New Zealand retail averages. While a rate of NZ$27 per hour is competitive in Australia, New Zealand pay scales may differ—industry averages for retail sales assistants in NZ hover around NZ$23–$25 per hour (PC Gamer context on NZ retail wages). Exact wages for the New Plymouth store were not disclosed.
Which stores are shutting down in 2026?
Is the EB Games New Plymouth closure part of a 2026 wave?
No. The EB Games New Plymouth closure is set for January 2025. The larger nationwide shutdown of all 38 EB Games stores is currently proposed for 31 January 2026, according to an EB Games New Zealand Instagram post and reports from Game Developer. The 2025 New Plymouth closure appears to be an early mover in that wave.
The 2026 closure proposal was still not final at the time of reporting — staff were asked to submit feedback by 12 January 2026 (Game Developer). The early New Plymouth closure may have been a test case for the wider shutdown.
Timeline: from the first hints to the final day
- Late 2024 — GameStop announces global store closures as part of restructuring (PC Gamer).
- Early January 2025 — Centre City posts that EB Games New Plymouth is closing.
- 22 January 2025 — Final trading day for EB Games New Plymouth (per initial reports).
- Mid-January 2026 — EB Games NZ announces all 38 stores will close by 31 January 2026 (EB Games NZ Instagram).
- 12 January 2026 — Staff feedback deadline on closure proposal (Game Developer).
- 31 January 2026 — All EB Games outlets in New Zealand close (4CC (Australian news site)).
- 28 February 2026 — Distribution centre closes (PC Gamer).
Clarity check: what’s confirmed, what’s not
Confirmed facts
- EB Games New Plymouth is closing after many years at Centre City (Centre City).
- All EB Games stores in New Zealand will close by end of January 2026 (PC Gamer).
- The closure is driven by GameStop’s global restructuring and NZ losses (Wikipedia).
What’s unclear
- Exact closure date of New Plymouth store (mall post does not give a date).
- Gift card and loyalty points redemption after closure.
- Number of jobs lost at New Plymouth store.
- Future tenant for the Centre City space.
Quotes from the decision-makers
“After many years at Centre City, EB Games New Plymouth will be closing their door.”
— Centre City management (mall operator) on Facebook
“All EB Games stores in New Zealand will close by 31 January 2026.”
— EB Games New Zealand via Instagram
What this means for New Plymouth gamers and staff
The end of EB Games in New Plymouth leaves a gap for local gamers who relied on the store for pre-orders, trade-ins, and community events. For the staff, the closure means job hunting in a tight retail market. The broader pattern is clear: GameStop is retreating from New Zealand entirely, leaving behind 38 empty storefronts and a distribution centre that will shut by March 2026. For shoppers in New Plymouth, the implication is straightforward: redeem any store credit before 22 January, or lose it.
Can I still use my EB Games gift card after the store closes?
It is unclear. No official EB Games NZ announcement has addressed gift card redemption after closure. Your best bet is to use it before the store’s final day.
Will there be closing-down sales at EB Games New Plymouth?
No official confirmation yet. Watch Centre City’s social media for possible liquidation sales.
What will happen to my EB Games loyalty points?
Unclear. Similar closures in other regions have seen loyalty points voided. Use them as soon as possible.
Is EB Games closing in other countries too?
Yes, GameStop has been closing stores globally, but the shutdown of all New Zealand stores is one of the most complete market exits.
What is GameStop’s role in the EB Games closure?
GameStop is the parent company and initiated the global restructure that led to the New Zealand decision.
Are there any other video game retailers in New Plymouth?
Yes, options include The Warehouse, JB Hi-Fi, and Mighty Ape for mail order. No other dedicated game retail chains are known in the city.
How many employees work at EB Games New Plymouth?
Not publicly disclosed. Based on typical store staffing, likely 3-6 part-time and full-time staff.
Related reading: GameStop-owned EB Games proposes closing all its New Zealand stores · All EB Games outlets in New Zealand will close by the end of the month following multi-million dollar losses
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