Canadian toy CEO and McFarlane Toys co-owner Stephan Tetrault has acquired GameStop Canada, which he will convert back to its original name of EB Games Canada. Tetrault founded Imports Dragon in 1998 and grew it into a top five toy company in Canada, and he bought into McFarlane Toys in 2018.
As of the end of last year, GameStop Canada operated 193 stores; GameStop announced that it planned to sell its stores in Canada and France with the release of its annual report in March (see “GameStop Closed 1,000 Stores“).
The stores in Canada were re-branded from EB Games to GameStop stores in 2021, and the return to the original branding is a key part of the plan. “This isn’t just a business decision—it’s about bringing something back that Canadians truly loved,” Tetrault said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “We’re going to build something special here, with community, nostalgia, and innovation at its heart.” The rebrand will roll out in the coming months with signage, a new website, and new branding across digital and social platforms.
Plans for the stores include enhanced in-store events, expanded product lines, deeper integration with pop culture brands, and a renewed focus on Canadians.
HNA served as M&A and financial advisors to Tetrault for the transaction.
Source: ICV2
