GameStop pays $700M for Micromania

Although GameStop has more than 5,500 stores dotting the landscape of North America, Europe, and Australia, the specialty gaming retailer has yet to open a single store in France. However, GameStop's presence in the country is set to skyrocket, given that the company announced today an agreement to acquire French retailer Micromania and its 332 stores.

The massive expansion will cost GameStop roughly $700 million, and, subject to approval by the European Commission, it is expected to be finalized in November. For perspective, that's nearly half the $1.44 billion that GameStop paid to acquire chief US rival EB Games in 2005. Since then, though, the US dollar has dropped dramatically against the Euro, which partially explains Micromania's steep price.

Since the EB acquisition, GameStop has been picking up new chains at a good pace. Last year the retailer picked up Rhino Video Games from Blockbuster, and already this year it snatched up New Zealand chain The Gamesman and 49 Norwegian Free Record Shop locations.