i android eu: GameStop gives in; will close all US stores due to coronavirus threat (Update)

Person Holding Sony Ps4 Controller

Update: March 21, 2020 – GameStop has now given into tons of criticism of its previous plans to keep its US retail stores open during the current coronavirus outbreak. In a press release late tonight, the video game retailer stated all of its US stores will close for customers starting on Sunday, March 22. The company will still provide curbside pick-up at its store locations, and will continue to take orders on its website.

All GameStop store employees who will see their hours eliminated will get an additional two weeks of pay at their regular rate. The retailer will also reimburse all eligible employees one month of their portion of benefit expenses.

Original story: March 19, 2020 – US-based video game retailer GameStop allegedly sent out a company-wide memo today addressing its response to the coronavirus pandemic currently gripping the world. In the memo, the company allegedly says it will not close its retail locations, despite various government mandates pushing it to do so.

According to Kotaku, which saw the alleged memo first hand, GameStop describes its shops as “essential retail,” akin to something like a pharmacy, grocery store, or other storefronts that must remain open during circumstances such as these.

The memo allegedly even goes so far as to instruct employees to tell inquiring law enforcement to contact GamesStop’s corporate headquarters if there are any issues with this policy.

To be clear, GameStop just sells video games, consoles, toys, and other merchandise related to gaming. These would hardly fall under the “essential retail” category of something like a grocery store.

Previously, GameStop employees speaking with Kotaku expressed concerns with the company’s lax response to the pandemic. However, that was before this memo, which is clearly putting the welfare of the company above the safety of its staff.

Here in the US, restaurants, bars, movie theaters, performance venues, and other food and entertainment facilities have all either completely shut down or moved to an adjusted business model in response to the crisis. Some of the changes are mandated by local and federal governments, while others have been self-directed.

For what its worth, GameStop’s financial situation is not great, so the company may fear that closing stores could cause it to go out of business permanently. However, there are other ways to deal with that besides putting retail workers at risk of contracting the virus and passing it on to others.