the two largest game retailers have completed their merge, and announced restructuring, layoffs

GamesIndustry.biz - GameStop, EB merger results in job cuts and warehouse closures
Hundreds of redundancies and EB outlet closures planned until summer 2006

Having just completed its acquisition of Electronics Boutique, videogame retailer GameStop has announced the intended closure of EB's Philadelphia headquarters, resulting in hundreds of redundancies.

In other news, E3 2006 expects a 50% decrease in sullen, rude, retail register jockey attendees next year.