Gaming is a multi-billion-pound industry in the UK, and increasingly gamers want high quality equipment to play their games on – including peripherals such as headsets, keyboard and mice – and this presents opportunities for resellers.
For gamers young and not-so-young, speed is often required to succeed in modern games, especially those played online against other players. To do this, gamers are increasingly seeking out the best equipment to help them to gain those fractions of seconds that can be the difference between winning and not – and it is often peripherals such as mice, keyboards and headsets that can be key to this.
The gaming market is huge in the UK, worth several billion pounds per year. No longer is gaming just seen as a pastime for children, many adults – especially those who have grown up with them – also game in their spare time.
The market is expanding too. Data from Stock in the Channel found that searches for all types of gaming products grew by 14.1% in the past year. Within that, searches for mice grew by more than 26%.
Gaming peripherals are more than just upsell for resellers; gamers want the best – and this provides opportunities for them.
Growing sector
Statistics collated from Stock in the Channel over the three months to June 6 show that headphones and headsets (5.44%), mice (4.46%) and keyboards (4%) combined comprise more than an eighth of the sector. When equipment such as controllers and solid state drives are included, this goes above 15%, which shows it is a significant proportion of the market.
Over the past three months on Stock in the Channel, the top trending product in the headphones and headsets category was the Razer Kraken X Lite Headset Wired Head-band Gaming Black. The top trending mouse was the Lenovo 4Y50X88822 mouse Gaming Ambidextrous Bluetooth Optical 2400 DPI.
Meanwhile in the keyboards category, the fastest growing product was the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboard USB QWERTY UK International Black.
New player
New players are also coming to the market. For instance, in January, Endorfy re-entered the UK market in partnership with Exertis. Resellers can now access Enorfy’s range of gaming products, including peripherals such as high-performance mice and headsets designed for enthusiasts as well as a range of other equipment like gaming desks and chairs.
“We are really happy to reintroduce Endorfy to the UK market, where there is a growing demand for reliable, performance-oriented technology,” said Łukasz Zdziech, CEO at Endorfy.
“Our partnership with Exertis is a perfect match, as their extensive network of hundreds of retail partners across the UK ensures that Endorfy products will reach a wide audience. This collaboration not only strengthens our global presence but also allows us to meet the needs of British customers through trusted and accessible channels.”
Ashley Gibbons, business manager – components at Exertis, added: “We are excited to announce our exclusive UK partnership with Endorfy. Its component and peripherals ranges will complement our extensive gaming portfolio that services the retail, etail and system integrators community.”
Serious gamers
There are plenty of peripherals for serious gamers too. For instance, a winner at the recent iF Design Award in Germany was the Logitech G Racing Series Wheel and Hub, which is designed for sim racing enthusiasts. It enables easy steering wheel swaps for different racing genres, enhancing realism and immersion in game. Its hub standardises button layouts, addressing the issue of adapting to different button layouts using differing wheel types, allowing racers to focus on the track.
Logitech G also recently launched the Logitech G522 Gaming Headset, a new addition to its award-winning G5 series, designed to elevate gameplay and personal expression.
Designed for long sessions, G522 has been designed to be more comfortable, engineered with community feedback at its core. The ear cups have been redesigned with a wider shape and an added layer of memory foam to enhance cushioning and cooling, wrapped in a new fabric that’s softer and more durable.
At the heart of the headset are new synchronised PRO-G drivers that deliver Logitech G’s highest-fidelity, paired with 48 kHz/24-bit digital signal processing for unparalleled immersion and precision. Gamers can hear subtle in-game cues – like distant footsteps or weapon reloads – with crystal clarity.
Communication is critical in competitive and online play, and the G522’s 48 kHz/16-bit microphone, enhanced by BLUE VO!CE technology ensures voices cut through the chaos. Microphone audio can be customised with real-time filters and effects, delivering a professional sound for every session.
The G522 offers tri-mode connectivity, allowing seamless switching between LIGHTSPEED wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C. It’s built for fluid transitions between platforms, PC, console, and mobile, without the lag or hassle.
Advice for resellers
As the above shows, there are plenty of options for gamers. When resellers talk to customers about gaming and the peripherals they may want, there are key factors they should be aware of. “Reliability is key and low failure rates mean fewer support calls and more satisfied customers,” says Mansuraj Dhak, manager at MSI.
“It’s also important to have a range of options at different price points to meet the needs of competitive gamers. Fast, local support for repairs is another big plus, helping to minimise downtime and keep users happy. These are the things that really matter.”
