UK gaming sales grew despite consumer spending struggles

Domonique Wilsher Friday, 2 March 2018, 8:54Last Updated: Wednesday, 9 May 2018, 16:25

1 minute read

UK gaming sales grew to a record £5.11bn last year, despite consumer spending decreasing, new figures show.

Trade body UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie) stated that the market grew by 12.4% due to “world-class content for an ever-expanding eager audience”.

Overall sales of games software increased by 8.3%, as it remains the largest sector in the games market.

Digital and online PC and console sales also saw an increase to £1.6bn, with physical software sales reaching £790m.

Ukie said this growth is in part due to the popularity of the new Nintendo Switch.

Ukie chief executive Jo Twist said: “It’s been another year of growth for the games industry with UK consumers demonstrating they have a strong appetite for what our innovative and creative sector makes.

“The games sector is constantly innovating and investing in new experiences, technologies and the skilled people to make an ever more compelling and diverse range of games, bringing tremendous value for money to consumers year on year.”