GameStop reports 59% growth in digital sales, 4.8% increase in new releases

GameStop has reported sales of $1.95 billion for its third quarter, ending October 29, up 2.5% compared to $1.9 billion for the same period in 2010.

Digital sales were attributed to the increase, with the division reporting a year-on-year increase of 59%, with console digital sales up 63% and PC digital sales up 51%.

While digital grew, profit from new software sales declined 0.6% to $53.9 million compared to $54.7 million the year prior.

Sales in the firm's pre-owned division were up 3.1%. New releases were up 4.8% and mainly attributed to Battlefield 3, Madden NFL 12, Batman: Arkham City and Dead Island.

"In the third quarter, GameStop outperformed the market and continued to execute against the long-term strategic plan through additional investments in digital and emerging businesses," CEO Paul Raines said in a statement.

"We expect that our innovative digital, iDevice and gaming tablet businesses will supplement our leading retail business this holiday."

The firm also reported a "strong sell-through" of releases for November.

Thanks, GI.biz.