Will GameStop lose more than it wins keeping stores open during the coronavirus outbreak?
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Will GameStop lose more than it wins keeping stores open during the coronavirus outbreak?

GameStop is back in the headlines for pushing to keep its stores open as many others temporarily close their doors to try and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus across the U.S.

The struggling video game retailer sent a memo from its headquarters to stores instructing them to remain open in resistance to governmental directives that require non-essential retail businesses to close for a period of two weeks or more.

The internal GameStop memo obtained by a variety of media outlets reads, “Due to the products we carry that enable and enhance our customers’ experience in working from home, we believe GameStop is classified as essential retail and therefore is able to remain open during this time.”

The memo directs store personnel to provide headquarters contact information to law enforcement authorities who are not persuaded by GameStop’s argument.

In a clarification statement issued by GameStop after the initial memo became public, the retailer said, “While there are many businesses and organizations far more critical than ours, we believe we can have a positive impact during this very challenging time. The health and safety of our employees and customers is of utmost importance and we have and will continue to take extensive precautions consistent with CDC guidelines. We are complying with all state, county, city and local ordinances and we will continue to adjust to any future developments.”

Of course, many of GameStop’s own store-level employees do not agree with the chain’s assessment of the business’s worth to society or its concerns about their safety.

One employee, who said he/she has been with GameStop “almost a decade” told Kotaku that the retailer’s current actions are “indefensible.”

Vice reports that local stores have not been provided with cleaning supplies by GameStop and have been instructed to shop at local stores to get what they need.

BrainTrust

"For a retailer like GameStop to stay open and force staff to work at this time is disgraceful. For them to tell staff to break the law and ignore the police is beyond contempt"

Neil Saunders

Managing Director, GlobalData


"“Essential,” no. I’m sure GameStop is considering closing their stores as an existential risk to their business, period."

Shawn Harris

Board Advisor, Light Line Delivery


"I believe the word is tone-deaf. Not sure what is driving this but I would imagine governors in CA and NY will see things differently."

Bob Phibbs

President/CEO, The Retail Doctor


Discussion Questions

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Do you agree with GameStop’s self-assessment as to the “essential” nature of its business at this time? What do you expect the reaction to be for GameStop from employees and customers?

Poll

23 Comments
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Mark Ryski
Noble Member
4 years ago

GameStop is classified as “essential” retail – seriously? GameStop has been struggling for some time, and so I understand management’s desire to keep their operation going. I don’t envy the decisions any CEO of a major retail enterprise has to make, however, this was handled very poorly. I believe that customers and, even more importantly GameStop employees, will remember how the company handled this – not well.

Art Suriano
Member
4 years ago

There are no words GameStop can write to make this action look justified. Even if they sincerely believe they are staying open for the good of the public, which I doubt, no one will believe them. Yes they will do some business because many people feel the coverage of the coronavirus has been blown out of proportion, but I think any sales they make will be outweighed by the tons of negative press and employees who will refuse to work. This will, in turn, do severe long-term harm. I have a feeling that GameStop will be open for now, but because of significant pressure both internally from employees and externally from the media, if these shutdowns remain in effect, GameStop will have a complete change of mind within two weeks if not sooner.

Bob Phibbs
Trusted Member
4 years ago

I believe the word is tone-deaf. Not sure what is driving this but I would imagine governors in CA and NY will see things differently. Quickly.

Suresh Chaganti
Suresh Chaganti
Member
4 years ago

GameStop is clutching at straws, and its actions are desperate. Foot traffic absolutely tanked everywhere except grocery stores. This moronic defiance is not even going to make a difference for their bottom line, while losing all the good will they had with their employees and customers.

Neil Saunders
Famed Member
4 years ago

For a retailer like GameStop to stay open and force staff to work at this time is disgraceful. For them to tell staff to break the law and ignore the police is beyond contempt. GameStop’s management should be held fully to account for this.

Richard Hernandez
Active Member
4 years ago

I just don’t get how they are essential retail – it wasn’t the first place I thought of to go get wipes or bleach. Bottom line, they want to take advantage of people and kids staying home. Not a good look for them to put sales above the health and safety of their people and the public.

Stephen Rector
4 years ago

I have no words for this – it’s a terrible decision in my opinion. The thought of calling GameStop essential retail right now is insane. And I agree with others, they are going to be forced to close anyway – either through media shame or the government. Hopefully soon.

Michael Terpkosh
Member
4 years ago

Have you been in a GameStop store? I don’t know how you can have social distancing in their small, strip mall store format. Bad decision on their part and there will be a backlash against them for trying to grandstand with this decision. Best Buy has just implemented a policy limiting the number of customers into a store at one time to keep customers apart from each other. Best Buy is running short on some items like computer cameras as more folks work remote. Too bad GameStop could not get more creative to provide service without cramming people into their stores.

Rich Kizer
Member
4 years ago

“The health and safety of our employees and customers is of the utmost importance.” But employees — Get your own cleaning supplies for the store and yourselves. GameStop’s self-assessment as being to the “essential” nature of its business is insane! And this to me is throwing their employees under the bus. And this tops it: How can you say “The health and safety of our employees and customers is of the utmost importance?” Yeah, right!

Heidi Sax
Member
4 years ago

GameStop should focus on enhancing their e-commerce presence to keep their employees and customers safe. This money grab is not a good look for them right now.

Steve Dennis
Member
4 years ago

Increasingly, trust is the most important asset that doesn’t show on a company’s balance sheet. When any organization takes an absurd position–in this case GameStop’s assertion that what it sells is “essential”–and appears to value near-term transactions over long-term relationships (among customers, associates and the community), they are detracting mightily from their brand value.

It’s both morally reprehensible and strategically misguided.

Georganne Bender
Noble Member
4 years ago

GameStop stores remaining open is an insult to every other business following the rules to help flatten the curve. This decision won’t affect the execs in the corporate office who made it, but it sure puts the front line associates in harm’s way.

Shawn Harris
Member
4 years ago

“Essential,” no. I’m sure GameStop is considering closing their stores as an existential risk to their business, period.

Ananda Chakravarty
Active Member
4 years ago

Clearly, GameStop has determined they would be more profitable as a company with their stores open rather than closed during this crisis. The messaging and statements are PR and communication to rationalize their decision. There are better ways to manage their outbound messaging and more reasons to close than stay open. Customers have the choice and won’t care. Employees will be the ones affected most and would have an axe to grind. The issue will dissipate given the high turnover rates of employees for small format stores anyway. That said, it’s still not morally or ethically right to put people in harm’s way.

Peter Charness
Trusted Member
4 years ago

I think they actually just took the last step to close … permanently.

OUsooner08
OUsooner08
4 years ago

I wish to remain anonymous but I’m on the front lines in the stores, and have several members of my family that work for GameStop. It has been clearly articulated that anyone who doesn’t feel safe can stay home with no penalties, and they will not lose their job. We buy a lot of our own supplies already and expense them, so this isn’t new for us to buy supplies. We do sell products like keyboards, mice, cameras, chat headsets that keep people connected.

We employ thousands of people including a lot you don’t see behind the scenes supporting us at the stores. We’re trying to keep those people employed so they can pay their bills. We are doing things to keep our employees safe; the internal employee communication has been plentiful on the actions taken by our corporate office. We do enforce social distancing in the stores. My sister works for the corporate office and they are letting people work from home. When they do have to be in the office they limit the conference room attendees to 10. My son works in our refurbishment operations and daughter in our Distribution Center and they are allowed to take personal leave if they want, or just call in with no penalty. Everything is getting deep cleaned every day.

How is this different than other retailers staying open? Do you really need those craft supplies at Hobby Lobby? What about those shoes or clothes? Where we live no retailer has been ordered to shutdown.

Mark Ryski
Noble Member
Reply to  OUsooner08
4 years ago

Thank you for sharing your important perspective from the frontline, and reminding us just how difficult and complex the decisions are that retailers are being forced to make on a daily/hourly basis during these extraordinary times.

Craig Sundstrom
Craig Sundstrom
Noble Member
Reply to  OUsooner08
4 years ago

I join Mark in thanking you, although I would point out the situation isn’t different than any other multi-state retailer.

And it would be helpful if the article made it clearer if the company is actually “breaking the law” — as one commenter put it — or simply trying to create a policy within it.

Craig Sundstrom
Craig Sundstrom
Noble Member
4 years ago

To be completely fair (or thorough), definitions can vary between jurisdictions and sometimes be bizarre (PA defines beer wholesalers as “life sustaining”). That having been said, my understanding of the nature of what they sell makes the claim a s…t…r…e…t…c…h. That they are asking employees to patronize other stores — and thus increase exposure — makes the situation even more problematic.

OUsooner08
OUsooner08
Reply to  Craig Sundstrom
4 years ago

No different than regular citizens go to the store, the CDCs guidelines have been clear, you can still go out, just practice social distancing, they even gave restaurant guidelines for reduced capacity, operate at 50%, seat every other table in a checkerboard pattern, guests 6 feet apart. The provisions beyond that, shutting everything down is a local/state decision.

Dr. Stephen Needel
Active Member
4 years ago

I get why they want to remain open. But I’m picturing the villagers carrying torches, rakes, and pitchforks heading there tonight.

Steve Montgomery
Steve Montgomery
Member
4 years ago

No. It was a terrible decision that will haunt them with their employees and customers. That assumes that they survive which is doubtful.

Kenneth Leung
Active Member
4 years ago

Completely tone deaf. No, just no … that’s what the online channel is for.