UK Game Distributor Andromeda Ceases Trading

Officials from British game and software distributor Andromeda Entertainment have confirmed that the company has ceased trading, with immediate effect from last Thursday. The distributor specialized in mail order catalogues and more recently expanded into broader catalogue showrooms and retail outlets, including Simply Games and Scratchbusters. According to UK trade paper MCV, the parent company of video rental chain Choices Video is currently in negotiations to acquire Andromeda’s goodwill and assets. Along with the 220 store Choices Video chain, Home Entertainment Corporation operates a film distribution business, mail order DVD business, and TV shopping channel ChoicesUK. The news follows several weeks of speculation on the company’s affairs, following rumors of a possible management buyout for its logistics business, which provides transportation and inventory management and returns service for publishers. This side of the business is said to be unaffected by the closure of the distribution division, although its exact future is uncertain.