Johannesburg – Massmart is considering closing around 20 Game stores in South Africa, a move that could see some of the affected outlets converted into new Walmart stores in the coming months.
The proposed closures are expected to affect branches in Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal. According to information first reported by MyBroadband, a KwaZulu Natal business owner learnt of the looming shutdowns after receiving a job application from a Game employee who said staff at one of the targeted stores had been informed of possible retrenchments.
The employee reportedly indicated that five stores in KwaZulu Natal were set to close. These include Amanzimtoti, Ballito, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg and The Pavilion. Another staff member at one of the affected outlets said 21 stores across the country had been earmarked for potential shutdown within the next few months.
Massmart management has advised employees that some Game stores will be converted into Walmart outlets, with staff transferred accordingly. The company later confirmed to MyBroadband that it was considering the closure of “around” 20 stores, subject to engagement with the potentially affected Game employees.
The retailer said the targeted outlets represent a small portion of its total Game portfolio, which currently stands at 122 stores in South Africa.
Game has had a long presence in KwaZulu Natal, operating in the province for more than five decades. Its first store opened on Smith Street in Durban’s city centre in 1970. Co founders Alan Hellman and Jack Schaffer sought to replicate the United States department store model, offering a brightly lit shopping environment with products catering for the whole family.
Over the years, Game built a reputation for being quick to introduce new products to market, at a time when global supply chains were still developing and long before online shopping became mainstream. The chain changed ownership several times before Massmart acquired it for R755 million in 1998, an amount equivalent to about R3.3 billion today.
By 2020, Game had expanded to 150 stores across 12 African countries. However, the retailer has struggled to keep pace with the rapid growth of e commerce. Many of its core offerings, including televisions, home appliances and consumer electronics, are among the most purchased items online.
Financial pressures have weighed heavily on the brand. In 2021, Game accounted for nearly 47 percent of Massmart’s R2.2 billion net loss, translating to R1.03 billion. The losses followed two previous difficult financial years.
Massmart launched a turnaround strategy to stabilise the business. In a 2022 interview, Massmart chief executive Mitch Slape warned that Walmart’s patience with Game was wearing thin.
After Walmart acquired full ownership of Massmart and delisted it in 2022, the company’s detailed financial performance has not been publicly available. Since late 2022, at least 13 underperforming Game stores have been closed. These include Game Bel Air in Northriding, Game in Boksburg, Game CBD in Cape Town, Game Clearwater Mall, Game Gilwell in East London, Game Greenstone in Modderfontein, Game Fourways Mall, Game Hazyview in Mpumalanga, Game Mall of the South in Johannesburg South, Game Ulundi and Game Westwood Mall in Westville.
Two of the shuttered outlets at Clearwater Mall and Fourways Mall were replaced with the first two Walmart stores in November 2025. Despite these changes, Massmart has maintained that it will not shut down the Game brand entirely.
“We continue to invest in the future growth of Game, including through the rollout of our pantry merchandise proposition, which is enjoying high demand from Game customers,” the retailer said.
The company added that the initial conversion of certain stores was aimed at allowing it to “move at speed” with the Walmart rollout, while also planning to open Walmart stores at completely new sites.
A third Walmart store is scheduled to open in Boksburg before the end of March 2026. Although the exact location has not yet been disclosed, Massmart has a previously closed Game store at the East Point Shopping Centre.
More details about Walmart’s long term strategy in South Africa are expected in the second quarter of 2026.
“The intention is to increase our provincial representation, but we would prefer not to signal our specific intent to competitors at this time,” the company said in January 2026.
Massmart told MyBroadband that it has observed incredibly high levels of continuing interest in Walmart stores, attributing this to competitive pricing and the strength of the global brand.
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