Game’s future in South Africa is facing renewed scrutiny as parent company Massmart considers closing approximately 20 branches while accelerating the rollout of Walmart-branded stores across the country.
The latest concerns were raised in a MyBroadband report published on Thursday, 6 August 2026, which examined Game’s shrinking physical presence and the pressures confronting the once-dominant discount retailer.
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However, the available store figures require some distinction. In 2019, Game operated 150 stores across South Africa and 11 other African countries, with 122 of those branches situated in South Africa.
Therefore, the reduction from 150 stores to approximately 122 cannot be treated as 28 South African closures, as the larger figure included Game’s wider African network.
Nevertheless, Game has closed a growing number of underperforming South African branches during the past four years as Massmart attempts to stabilise the business.
In 2022, the retailer began closing an initial eight stores identified for disposal as part of a broader review of 13 underperforming locations.
These included Game branches at Bel-Air in Northriding, Cape Town’s central business district, Gilwell in East London, Greenstone in Modderfontein, Hazyview, Mall of the South, Ulundi and Westwood Mall.
Further uncertainty emerged in February 2026 when Massmart confirmed that it was considering closing “around” 20 additional Game stores in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
The company said the possible closures remained subject to consultation with affected employees.
While Massmart did not release an official branch list, information reportedly supplied by Game employees identified Amanzimtoti, Ballito, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg and The Pavilion among the KwaZulu-Natal stores facing possible closure.
The Game branch in Newcastle has not been named among the KwaZulu-Natal locations reportedly under review. However, Massmart has yet to publish a final list confirming which branches will close, remain open or potentially be converted into Walmart stores.
The possible closures come as Walmart substantially increases its direct presence in the South African retail market.
Walmart has owned a controlling interest in Massmart since 2011 and completed the acquisition of the remaining shares in 2022, after which Massmart was delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Full ownership placed brands such as Game, Makro and Builders under Walmart’s direct control.
Despite owning Massmart for several years, Walmart only opened its first locally branded store at Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort on 22 November 2025. Its second store opened at Fourways Mall six days later, followed by a third outlet at East Point Shopping Centre in Boksburg on 28 February 2026.
All three Walmart stores were established at sites previously occupied by Game branches, strengthening perceptions that Walmart’s expansion could come partly at Game’s expense.
Massmart has disputed suggestions that it intends to replace Game entirely, explaining that the initial use of existing properties allowed the company to establish Walmart stores more quickly.
The retailer said its longer-term strategy would also include newly developed sites rather than relying solely on converted Game premises.
Even so, Walmart’s planned expansion is substantial. When announcing the opening of its Boksburg branch, Massmart confirmed that a further 21 Walmart stores were proposed for Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
This places Massmart in the position of expanding one discount retail brand while simultaneously reducing the physical footprint of another.
While the two formats overlap in areas such as groceries, household goods, electronics and appliances, Walmart’s South African stores place greater emphasis on fresh food, pantry essentials and everyday household shopping.
Game, by comparison, has traditionally been associated with appliances, televisions, electronics and general merchandise.
However, Game has also been changing its product mix as household spending patterns shift.
In an official statement marking Game’s 56th anniversary in April 2026, Massmart said the retailer had expanded beyond its traditional focus on electronics and general merchandise by increasing its range of groceries, pantry products and household essentials.
“As shopping behaviours and economic realities have changed, we have deliberately evolved our offer to stay relevant to our customers,” stated Massmart Retail Marketing Executive Langa Khanyile.
“Our focus is on providing the products customers need most, at prices that make a real difference, whether that is food essentials, practical lifestyle items, or trusted core categories.”
Additionally, Game also remains actively included in Massmart’s national promotions and product launches.
During June 2026, the company included Game alongside Makro and Builders in its annual Halfway Day promotion, with discounts offered through Game stores and its online platform. New products sourced through Walmart’s international supply network have also continued appearing on Game shelves.
This indicates that Massmart is still investing in Game as an operating retail brand, despite reducing the number of branches considered unprofitable.
The retailer has also expanded its online and delivery operations as customers increasingly compare prices and order household goods without visiting large physical stores.
By August 2024, Game products were available through OneCart at 23 branches, while its Uber Eats partnership had expanded to 51 stores.
Apparently, the most frequently ordered products included groceries, nappies, milk, rice and cooking oil, as well as kettles, headphones and other small appliances.
The shift towards online shopping presents a particular challenge for Game because many of its traditional strengths, including televisions, appliances and electronics, are now among the easiest products for customers to research and compare online.
Large physical stores also carry substantial rental, staffing and operating costs, making branches with declining foot traffic increasingly difficult to justify.
Consequently, Game’s transformation appears likely to involve fewer physical stores, a broader range of affordable essentials and greater reliance on online shopping and rapid delivery.
At the same time, the arrival of Walmart gives Massmart another format through which to compete for South African grocery and household spending.
Therefore, Game is not currently disappearing from the country altogether. Massmart continues to promote the retailer, introduce products through its stores and describe it as an important part of the group.
Nevertheless, the familiar pink Game branding is likely to disappear from additional shopping centres as the company closes weak branches and considers which properties would perform better under the Walmart name.
For Newcastle consumers, the local Game store remains operational and has not been identified among the KwaZulu-Natal branches reportedly facing closure. Its longer-term position will become clearer once Massmart concludes its employee consultations and provides further details on the next phase of its Game and Walmart strategies.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Game will still be around in 5 years? Let us know below?
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