GameStop is still open despite the coronavirus pandemic, and the store doesn’t show any signs of closing its doors.
What’s going on:
- GameStop has called for its employees to keep the doors open, even if local authorities ask them to close their doors for the night, according to Kotaku.
- The company reportedly sent out a memo in which GameStop told its employees “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 use of “essential retail” is interesting since the U.S. government has identified essential services to include “transit, police, fire, health care services, grocery markets, pharmacies, banks and gas stations,” according to The Verge.
- GameStop is not any of those things.
- GameStop asked employees to tell any authorities to contact the corporate office if authorities approached employees.
- Some GameStop stores are changing their hours to be open from noon to 6 p.m., according to The Verge.
Employee concerns
- GameStop employees told Polygon they are worried about what’s going on with their stores.
- One employee said; “I had a region call and a district call today. Both showed very little care for the employees. The focus is on sales.”
GameStop responds
GameStop issued a statement on Twitter that explained what the video game store plans to do to keep customers safe.
- The statement read: “GameStop is working diligently during this unprecedented time to provide our customers and associates with the safest environment possible. We are implementing changes to our retail operations so that we may continue to provide essential products to our customers that allows them to stay connected, and provide products that allows business and consumers to work remotely.”
The company said it will:
- Encourage social distancing in stores
- Follow CDC guidelines for customers.
- Reduce store hours from noon to 8 p.m. until March 29
- Offer a pickup service for customers to buy their games
- Suspend trade-in practice
- Postpone midnight launches
- Disable gaming stations
- Ask customers to order online.