(Bloomberg) — GameStop Corp. jumped as much as 27% after a strategic partnership with Microsoft Corp. gave investors fresh optimism that the video-game retailer can turn around its business.
© Bloomberg
XBox controllers
Under a multiyear agreement, GameStop will use Microsoft’s cloud services to handle business operations, including finance, inventory and e-commerce, according to a statement Thursday. In-store workers also will use Microsoft Surface devices while they’re helping customers. And GameStop will offer Xbox All Access, a monthly service for the Xbox gaming console.

Load Error
GameStop is expected to get a surge in sales when new video-game consoles arrive in coming weeks, and the Microsoft partnership could help them extend the momentum. A new Xbox and Sony PlayStation are debuting next month, which should drive traffic to GameStop’s stores and e-commerce site.
Longer term, GameStop faces a tough challenge. Video-game companies are relying less on physical media and increasingly delivering their products online, making a brick-and-mortar chain less necessary.
GameStop investor Ryan Cohen, the former head of Chewy.com, has been prodding the company to focus more on e-commerce, rather than its physical chain. But GameStop has a massive retail footprint, with thousands of stores in 10 countries.
The shares climbed to as much as $11.90 on Thursday after GameStop announced the deal. Even before the jump, the stock was up 54% this year, lifted by excitement about the new gaming consoles.
For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com
©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
More Stories
How to choose which investment is best for your personal finance
Dermafirm Launches Business Solutions for Industry Professionals Looking to Expand Amidst COVID-19 | News
A global strategy chief shares 3 ways investors can navigate increased stock-market volatility in the coming months