The struggling chain GameStop wanted to remain open in the USA despite the novel coronavirus. They considered themselves essential. Employees were to hand out a flyer to officials if they wanted to close a store. However, one state issued a mandatory shutdown. Now the chain is closing nationwide.
This was the situation in the USA: Due to the coronavirus crisis, there is a “lockdown” in parts of the USA. Cities and entire states have ordered that “non-essential” businesses must close.
The gaming chain GameStop has fought against a closure, as reported by various US sites:
- They kept the stores open
- gave employees a flyer to hand to officials trying to close the stores – officials were to contact company management
- in addition, GameStop published a list of restrictions under which they wanted to remain open, such as reduced opening hours and increased distancing in the stores
GameStop is essential, not just gaming
This is how GameStop justified its stance: In a statement to Vice, it was said that while GameStop is known as a “video game” chain, it is more than that.
GameStop offers numerous services and equipment that are “essential”, such as:
- working from home
- establishing virtual connections
- learning from home
Therefore, GameStop is “essential” and does not need to close.
GameStop acknowledged that there are certainly other businesses that are more important than themselves, but emphasized that they could have a positive impact during this very difficult time.
This was the reaction: There was strong criticism on social media regarding GameStop’s decision to keep the stores open.
As reported by Kotaku, employees were concerned about their health. According to Vice, some employees even threatened to quit.
GameStop’s behavior was criticized as “irresponsible”.
Pennsylvania threatens mandatory closure and fines
Here’s how it turned out: The governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolfe, published a list yesterday of which companies are “essential” and which are not (via de.scribd).
GameStop is not on the list of essential businesses. Hence, a mandatory closure was threatened.
After the new development, GameStop stores would be forcibly closed by Monday afternoon under the threat of fines.
However, GameStop got ahead of this. They announced on Saturday that they would close all stores in the USA after all. Apparently, the public pressure was too high.
GameStop now wants to focus on digital business. All employees could stay home if they did not feel well (via news.gamestop).
This is what lies behind it: GameStop is under significant economic pressure according to numerous reports. The shift in gaming to digital downloads has hit the chain hard.
Therefore, GameStop’s decision to keep the stores open had a strange undertone from the beginning. Players got the impression that the chain was risking the health of employees for profit.
Critics speculated that GameStop did not want to miss out on the attractive releases Doom Eternal (March 20) and Animal Crossing: New Horizons (March 20).
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