GameStop opens 5,000th store

It's not news that GameStop is big. After all, the "world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer" is the amalgamation of a variety of chains that were big in their own rights, including FuncoLand, EB Games, Babbage's, Software Etc., and Rhino Video Games.

However, the company offered a little perspective on just how big it is when it announced the opening of its 5,000th location today. The landmark addition to the chain opened its doors in Jackson, California.

For comparison's sake, that puts the proliferation of GameStop stores on par with some other well-established companies. Wal-Mart operates 4,000 stores domestically (6,800 worldwide), Avis Rent-a-Car runs 4,900 locations, and US-chain Rite Aid has about 5,000 pharmacies.

In 2005, GameStop bought its last big rival, the aforementioned EB Games, and that transaction created the largest game retailer in the US. This month, the company completed rebranding on all but a few EB outlets, and launched "Power to the Players," its first nationwide ad campaign since the merger. Check back later in the week for GameSpot's interview with GameStop Vice President of Marketing Tom De Napoli.

The Grapevine, Texas-based GameStop expects to open between 500 and 550 new stores this year, and currently employs 44,000 people in 16 countries. In addition to its brick-and-mortar presence, it also operates GameStop.com.