Fillpoint LLC, one of the videogame industries' leading providers of online distribution, fulfillment, and e-commerce services for national retailers, today announced that it has acquired from the Handleman Company is full service videogame distribution and publishing operations, known as SVG Distribution (SVG) and Crave Entertainment Group (Crave Entertainment) respectively.
SVG is a leading in-store distributor to national retailers of video game software, hardware and related accessories specializing in the video game value sector. The separately-operated Crave Entertainment Group is a specialty video game publisher that has extensive distribution relationships with domestic and international software developers that focuses on the rapidly-expanding exclusive distribution and value sector offerings. SVG's distribution operations are based in Indianapolis, and Crave Entertainment Group's offices are located in Newport Beach, Calif. Both groups will continue operating under their existing names in their current locations.
Fillpoint currently provides online fulfillment services for major national retailers, constrained by the limited availability of shelf space for an increasing assortment of videogame products. Fillpoint makes available to national retailers the videogame industry's broadest and most extensive online selection of product offerings with an assortment of over 4,000 items. National retailers are enjoying significant growth from online sales that also complement and help promote in-store sales. The acquisition immediately establishes Fillpoint with a potent network of both online and in-store distribution; the acquisition will enable Fillpoint to offer its online customers a deeper selection of value offerings through Crave's publishing and exclusive distribution relationships. The value sector is expected to perform extremely well given the economic downturn. SVG's customers will now have access to Fillpoint's state-of-the-art online fulfillment services.
"The acquisition of SVG/Crave enables us to provide significantly expanded offerings in value and publishing both online and in-store," said Glenn Rockwood, president and CEO of Fillpoint. "We're excited about the new opportunities introduced by this acquisition, and we will immediately begin working to strengthen and expandthe core SVG and Crave Entertainment Group businesses."
"With the acquisition successfully completed, we will focus on the development and publication of our exciting slate of videogame offerings for 2009," said David Burchi, senior VP of content and strategic development of Crave Entertainment. "We have a complete line-up of high-quality, affordably-priced interactive entertainment planned, including Crayola Colorful Journey, Pinball Hall of Fame: Williams Collection for next-generation consoles, and Monster Mayhem: Build & Battle. With the added capabilities, distribution network and support of Fillpoint, we're anticipating a very successful year."