GameStop, the physical retailer that sells video games and video game accessories, told all of its stores today that they should remain open. A memo sent to all store managers says that all stores should remain open even if the city or state goes on lockdown to protect against the spread of Covid-19. The retailer told its employees that they, much like grocery stores and pharmacies, are "essential retail" and are thus exempt from abiding by forced store closures.
When reading through this, keep in mind that GameStop also owns and runs EB Games, ThinkGeek, and Game Informer.
Kotaku obtained a copy of a memo that was sent to staff earlier on the afternoon of March 19, 2020. This memo was also shared in numerous Reddit threads and can be seen below.
"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."
"We have received reports of local authorities visiting stores in an attempt to enforce closure despite our classification. Store Managers are approved to provide the document linked below to law enforcement as needed."
"We have received reports of local authorities visiting stores in an attempt to enforce closure despite our classification. Store Managers are approved to provide the document linked below to law enforcement as needed."
Employees of GameStop have taken to voicing their deep concerns online. Many issues have been raised through Reddit and other social media. One Reddit thread in particular has a number of stories being shared from employees showing just how little corporate cares about the lives of their employees. Others shared their stories directly with Kotaku.
“Thus far I’ve seen little to no measures taken from corporate, and I’ve certainly haven’t seen any supplies to prevent further outbreak,†said a GameStop supervisor who wished to remain anonymous. “My colleagues and I are sharing a small bottle of hand sanitizer that was purchased through our own pockets as well as making as much usage out of a depleting bottle of All Purpose Cleaner. We were only just given permission to turn off console demos yesterday and my cleaning supplies have been back ordered for two months. As far as more immediate measures go, the stores in my area have received nothing.â€
“We’re enabled to go out to purchase these items ourselves and have them expensed,†said another GameStop store employee from California’s Bay Area. “At least in my store’s regard, it’s virtually impossible to find the items we need to adequately clean and sanitize the stores and keep ourselves as safe as we can.â€
“One store is completely out of toilet paper and had to close their restroom because supplies responded to their email saying they were not shipping to stores,†said a third employee.
“We’re enabled to go out to purchase these items ourselves and have them expensed,†said another GameStop store employee from California’s Bay Area. “At least in my store’s regard, it’s virtually impossible to find the items we need to adequately clean and sanitize the stores and keep ourselves as safe as we can.â€
“One store is completely out of toilet paper and had to close their restroom because supplies responded to their email saying they were not shipping to stores,†said a third employee.
In the past day, GameStop has done very little to do the right thing. Yesterday, they announced on Twitter that they will spread out the release of DOOM Eternal and Animal Crossing: New Horizons as a "safety precaution for (their) customers and associates." All GameStop is doing is releasing DOOM on Thursday and Animal Crossing on Friday.
And now a brief editorial: Fuck you, GameStop corporate. You are endangering not only your employees but the general public with this. There is a global pandemic going on right now and despite how you may believe your own lies about being an "essential retailer," you are anything but. You are a luxury retailer at best. You provide nothing that people need to live and survive. Nothing.
You are placing actual lives at risk because of corporate greed. Get bent. Go fuck yourself. And I sure as hell hope you do go bankrupt. Yeah, it'll suck for a bit for those employees that don't end up dying because of your complete inability to do the right thing, but it's a real safe bet that wherever they end up working after this will be far better than continuing to work for you.
Close your stores and try to salvage whatever remaining shred of good will there still is while you can.
