Gamestop announced on Thursday that they would be entering into a multi-year, strategic partnership with Microsoft to further advance their retail technology infrastructure as well as expand their physical and digital video game offerings. According to the press release from Globenewswire, Gamestop will standardize their eCommerce platform in their 5,000+ stores worldwide with Microsoft’s cloud solutions and hardware products to improve customer interaction and provide the “ultimate gaming destination” for gamers.
“This is an exciting day at GameStop,” said George Sherman, GameStop’s Chief Executive Officer, “as we announce the advancement of an important partnership that capitalizes on the power of our operating platform and significant market share in gaming to accelerate our digital transformation; drive incremental revenue streams; and over time, further monetize the digital world of gaming.”
Gamestop will be implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 cloud solutions on their entire infrastructure, which includes the backend and the programs with which Gamestop patrons will interface. Gamestop employees will also make use of Microsoft Surface devices where they work as well as integrating Microsoft Teams and 365 apps across their network to improve their efficacy.
“GameStop has become a popular destination for gamers to find their favorite video games, hardware and accessories, socialize with others in the community, try out new games, and get educated on the latest tips and trends,” said Matt Renner, President, US Enterprise Commercial, Microsoft. “By harnessing the power of Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365, GameStop will be able to modernize its technology infrastructure and support store associates and fans in new and exciting ways. This partnership also provides GameStop with advanced retail management technologies that will drive operational efficiencies throughout its omni-channel platform.”
“For many years GameStop has been a strong go-to-market partner for our gaming products,” added Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of Gaming, “and we are excited about continuing and evolving that relationship for the launch of the Xbox Series X|S. GameStop’s extensive store base, focus on digital transformation in an omni-channel environment and expert gamer associates remain an important part of our gaming ecosystem, and we’re pleased to elevate our partnership.”
The full list of enterprise and commercial elements of Gamestop and Microsoft’s partnership, per the press release:
- Under this agreement, GameStop will standardize its back-end and in-store solutions on Dynamics 365, Microsoft’s portfolio of cloud-based business applications and customer data platform, empowering associates with integrated experiences across its business operations including finance, inventory, eCommerce, retail and point of sale. This will enable store associates the ability to access omni-channel insights about customer preferences and purchasing history, real time information on product availability, subscriptions, pricing, and promotions in order to provide a differentiated and personalized in-store customer experience.
- Additionally, associates will be equipped with new Microsoft Surface devices that will transform the in-store experience and help unlock new retail experiences in the future. The mobility of Microsoft Surface will allow associates to move freely within the store footprint, meeting the needs of customers faster and more efficiently. Microsoft Surface devices have already been an important part of the digital modernization strategy for store management.
- As part of its transformation, GameStop plans to roll out Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams to its stores, empowering more than 30,000 store associates with enhanced productivity and collaboration tools. With Teams, store associates will more easily be able to ask questions and share insights with one another, enabling them to provide a better customer experience. Associates will also benefit from enhanced security and identify management capabilities.
- Following decades as an essential provider of the Microsoft Xbox gaming platform and services, GameStop has expanded its Xbox family of product offerings to include Xbox All Access, which provides an Xbox console and 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to players with no upfront cost. GameStop and Microsoft will both benefit from the customer acquisition and lifetime revenue value of each gamer brought into the Xbox ecosystem.
What do you think of the Gamestop and Microsoft partnership? Let us know in the comments.
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