GameStop recently tweeted that they will be open during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike most other companies that are closing down, or are implementing a work from home strategy, GameStop will open regularly. That said, they will implement some safety precautions.
The retailer posted on their website that they will take the following actions:
- Instituting multiple social distancing practices in our stores, up to 10 people in the store, including store associates.
- Following CDC recommended guidelines to adopt in-store line management practices that create a 6-foot parameter between customers in checkout lines.
- Reducing our store hours of operation to 12 – 8 p.m., which will be in place until Sunday, March 29th.
- Suspending temporarily our video game and consumer electronics trade-in practices until further notice.
- Postponing all gaming events and midnight launch activities until further notice.
- Disabling temporarily all interactive gaming stations in our stores.
- Encouraging customers to leverage our online e-commerce capabilities and direct deliveries to their homes from our warehouses or stores.
We are working diligently during this unprecedented time to provide our customers & associates with the safest environment possible. Please see below for details on new changes we are enacting & click here for our full statement: https://t.co/qP9jDQUmjs pic.twitter.com/d99kxviz7Q
— GameStop (@GameStop) March 19, 2020
While most companies are closing down to prevent the spread of the virus, GameStop decided to keep their store open. This idea has been met with some harsh criticizm on Twitter. The idea is bad because they are giving the virus a chance to spread and trying to make as much possible profit during the ongoing pandemic.
I will never go again but I’ve been to @GameStop hundreds of times and I have never once seen a single product that could reasonably be said to facilitate remote working or distance learning. This statement/policy is a crock of shit and those responsible for it should be ashamed. https://t.co/AoOA9kmSLz
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) March 20, 2020
Holy shit - video game retailer GameStop just sent a memo to all of its staff telling them to keep their stores open even during state lockdowns, and to tell law enforcers that it's OK because they're "essential retail" https://t.co/iHSjvHwMDg
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) March 19, 2020
Even if GameStop provides disinfectant supplies to kill germs, it still gives the virus a chance to spread. You can see people are furious about this news, as the people have replied to their tweet saying “Close your stores you absolute monsters.”
So, what are your thoughts on GameStop taking advantage of this pandemic? Do you think this is a good idea as the virus keeps spreading? Whatever your thoughts may be, let us know in the comments below.
