By Zeba Fatima

UK gaming retailer has closed its Northern Ireland stores in Newry and Belfast, redirecting customers to buy from the GameStop UK website.

GameStop representatives have gone on record saying the closures were all part of the plan to serve British customers via the online portal only. Apparently, that plan doesn't include stores in the Republic of Ireland, as all of those stores are unaffected.

GameStop said that the closures are a calculated move.

"The recent store closures in Northern Ireland are part of our plan, announced six months ago, to exit the UK market from a brick and mortar perspective," said GameStop's commercial director Michael Finucane.

"We started this process last year closing our Birmingham, Stockport and Belfast locations," he said.

"Correspondingly, we have experienced tremendous sales growth on our UK ecommerce site. Our go forward plan is to serve the UK market with enhanced digital and online offerings."

GameStop has stressed that none of its Republic of Ireland stores are affected at this time, and that it will honour all outstanding deposits and gift cards.