Electronics Boutique saves BarrysWorld

LONDON (Brand Republic) - Computer games retailer Electronics Boutique has bought BarrysWorld.com, the UK gaming site that went into voluntary liquidation last month, for £400,000.

Electronics Boutique UK said it would promote the site through its 300-store retail chain and its two existing websites.

BarrysWorld ceased operations on February 5, after its original investor, venture capital firm 3i, refused to invest in a second round of funding. By April 2000, 3i had invested £3m in the company.

The site was launched in 1998 and was originally run by hobbyists. It claimed that 300,000 gaming enthusiasts logged on regularly to the service and it was in the process of setting up a fee-paying system when it ran out of money. It is understood that Electronics Boutique will now run a fee-paying service on the site.

The sale is the latest in a growing trend for established high-street retailers to snap up failing dotcoms. On February 5, the retail group the John Lewis Partnership bought online retailer Buy.com for an undisclosed amount.

www.eb.uk.com

www.barrysworld.com

This article was first published on brandrepublic.com