Computer games retailer Game saw shares tumble by more than 50 per cent yesterday, after the firm warned it was seeing "disappointing" demand in the run-up to Christmas.
The Bracknell-based group said like-for-like sales - stripping out the effect of store openings and closures - slid 4.7 per cent during this month when compared with the same month last year.
Game said last weekend had seen "no improvement" in trading.
In addition, it said the weak demand led to an "unexpectedly high level" of promotions from competitors.
Game, which runs 305 shops in the UK and Ireland as well as 32 concessions in department stores, is now expecting pre-tax profits before costs for 2002 to be comparable with the £31.5 million reported last year.
Shares slumped 52 per cent following the statement, down 37.75p to 34.75p and knocking more than £140 million from Game's market value.
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