UK games retailers have been suffering a lot recently as GAME proved earlier this year. Now, the situation has become even worse as retailers across the country are struggling as they collectively endured the lowest sales since records began. 

£8.4 million was made from software sales last week, with 394,688 games sold in total. SEGA's official Olympic game was the No. 1 best seller. 

But just what has caused such dismal sales? It seems that the rise of digital and downloadable content is a huge factor, along with the state of the economy and the fact that this is the longest console cycle in quite some time. Add to that the annual 'summer drought' and you have yourself a mixture of problems that create a huge impact. Some analysts even believe that recent events could be causing the dip in software sales, such as the Olympics.

The release of the 3DS XL also didn't cause quite the same impact in the UK as it did in Japan, selling an estimated 10,000 on Saturday as opposed to 193,000 in Japan over two days. Satoru Iwata stated that 3DS momentum outside of Japan is "weak". It's not all bad though, the release of the XL in the UK saw Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land see a jump in sales. It should also be noted that the 3DS XL was released alongside New Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan, a title not set to release in the UK until August 17th.

UK retailers needn't worry too much though as analysts are predicting a rise in sales again this fall with the release of big titles and the Wii U which will hopefully re-ignite the console market.