Kotaku - GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail' [read threadmarks]

[Deleted member 18944]

The video game retail chain GameStop told all of its stores this afternoon to stay open even in the event of state lockdowns to protect against covid-19, emphasizing that it is "essential retail" alongside groceries and pharmacies and should therefore be exempt from quarantine laws.

"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 retailer said in a memo to staff this afternoon, obtained by Kotaku.

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GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

The struggling video game retail chain GameStop told all of its stores this afternoon to stay open even in the event of state or city lockdowns to protect against the covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing that it is “essential retail” alongside groceries and pharmacies and should therefore be exempt...

kotaku.com

 

[Kalentan]

Uh... the fuck?

 

[NinjaScooter]

The right to game is in the constitution.

 

[Linde]

lol what

 

[Jerm411]

When the bombs drop the only things left will be roaches, Trump, and GameStop....

 

[ghostcrew]

...excuse me?

 

[MattB]

Ummm... What?

 

[HibbySloth]

I didn't like Gamestop before, now I legitimately hope they go under.

 

[Deleted member 18400]

You know I've ignored a lot of dumb shit Gamestop has done over the years but this time.....

I think that's the last time I buy from them (not that I do very much anymore anyways).

 

[Maximus]

I feel like if this company is forced to shut down, it won't reopen after things are set to return to normal.

 

[Berordn]

Uh... the fuck?

Click to shrink...

they sell used laptops and phones and networking junk, so they're probably going to try to cling to life with that

it's just a funny coincidence that they'll encourage you to place a reserve on PS5 while you're there for your teleconferencing needs

 

[ultracal31]

Just stop man

It's literally in your name

 

[Kawngi]

The memo encouraged store workers to tell law enforcement to call GameStop's corporate headquarters if they had a problem with this policy.

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uhhh... good luck with that

 

[Solidsnakejej]

Its probably essential for them to stay open just to not fold.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

quote from company going out of business: "we're essential retail"

 

[Lashley]

Fuck off, Gamestop

 

[Deleted member 18944]

Reggie man I'ma need you to speak up LMAO

Edit - I'm not insinuating that he works for GameStop, but he still probably has influence and can still vocalize his disagreement with their decision.

 

[Wong Kar Why]

this is worse than anything that was said in the miami video i saw earlier on reddit

 

[Deleted member 437]

Holy fuck that's a new one.

Bravo.

 

[ghostcrew]

GameStop, you're not even essential in terms of the public wanting video games. We've all got the Internet and can download games now.

Damn, they trying to convince themselves that we all need plastic discs and Funkopops even in a global health crisis.

 

[Bit_Reactor]

If they delegated it to merely pickup and not allowing for browsing beyond placing orders it could work, but if they just let everyone come in and touch everything it very much is defeating the purpose. I know I'd be selfish enough to admit that I find games and entertainment media "essential" at this time as well, but I know that it's endangering people by being open.

 

[Jessie]

They know fully well that they will not be able to survive this recession. This is their hail mary because otherwise everyone is getting laid off.

 

[DNAbro]

Genuinely laughed out loud when I read this

 

[Castor]

Reggie come get your mans before they get people hurt.

 

[Jakenbakin]

If they don't stay open what will is millennials be speed running? They're absolutely right.

 

[PMS341]

Shut it down.

What the fuck.

 

[Secretofmateria]

I hope i can still grab my ff7 pre order from them in april

 

[cowbanana]

Fuck off, Gamestop. Can't you just die with grace?

 

[Elios83]

WTF??? Is this even legal if there is an actual lockdown?

 

[Lintendo]

LOL what the Fuck?... I also work in a Gaming Retail Store in Switzerland, we have also a Lockdown since Monday... and we had to close our Stores until April 19th.

 

[Jaychrome91]

2020 is wild LMFAO hahaha

 

[Dust]

Top three essential needs for outbreak:
1) Toilet paper
2) Hand sanitizer
3) Video games

 

[Deleted member 8752]

Maybe the worst moment in Gamestop's entire history.

 

[Macca]

Game on bros!

 

[Clive]

Reggie still kicking ass and taking names. (joke)

Absolutely inhumane. This is some cartoon villain shit. Not to mention almost all of their "essential" products can be purchased digitally from your home.

 

[ryushe]

That quote is incredible.

And by incredible, I obviously mean horrifying.

 

[Strike]

Yeah, people really need Funko Pop figures and ripoffs on trade-ins.

 

[HylianSeven]

Imagine convincing yourself that your sales of video games are as essential as food in a lockdown.

 

[GattsuSama]

no they are not. If anything they could arrange pick ups and limit visits to the store space.

They could also use this time to improve on their terrible site and their practices. That part of their business is just crap.

 

[Deleted member 1003]

 

[Ginger Hail]

You can already hear the fake "We're committed to doing what's best" coming from a mile away when they're legally forced to shut down.

 

[Uncleslappy]

Power to the players! While this is toxic and gross, I can relate to the panic of a company facing bankruptcy and banking on a certain day (3/20) - if they miss sales on that day, they might as well close up shop.

That being said, the damage done by these leaks may kill them just as quickly.

 

[pargonta]

Best Buy memo to customers for comparison... GameStop WISHES it had these commitments, and even these are iffy

"You are turning to us for help getting the technology that allows you to continue running a small business or shift your usual job from an office setting to your home. You are turning to us to help your children continue their education outside of their classroom. And, you are turning to us for necessities that allow you to store and prepare food for your family"

 

[RedRum]

Gamestop is going to do everything it can to tarnish its reputation before its light burns out, eh?

 

[Lotus]

Bruh

 

[Deleted member 62561]

it's essential that the public have immediate access to 45 PS2 copies of Madden 2006 in these times of crisis.

 

[Wireframe]

Reggie why?!

 

[Zukkoyaki]

Fuckin hell

 

[Damn Silly]

Reggie with the heel turn

 

[PMS341]

There isn't a Gamestop in the world that pays any employee enough money to tell a cop "Nah, I'm staying open". What steps need to seriously be taken to get them to close, what the hell? They can't even provide a clean environment for their employees, let alone their customers.