The video game retail chain had put itself in the same line as pharmacies and supermarkets to justify the opening of its stores.
GameStop reverses. The company has finally decided to close some of its points of sale in the face of the coronavirus threat (COVID-19). This has been confirmed by George Sherman, CEO of the North American chain, through a letter sent to his employees. The Kotaku outlet, which had previously unveiled the company's intentions not to lock the stores, has been commissioned to publish the new letter. After the closure of all stores, the chain has announced a home delivery service, also on social networks.
In this way, customers will have the opportunity to order their video games online through the GameStop application and the QR codes of the stores. In some states, the non-essential closure of shops has not yet been forced, although California and Nevada, among others, have made that decision due to the disease's progression. Sherman has also promised that GameStop will offer 80 paid overtime hours to all employees of closed or closing stores.
The manager has underlined the fact that if employees do not feel safe to go to stores and make deliveries, they should go to their supervisors. “We respect that everyone has their personal situation and preferences, so that your decision will not influence your position in the company.
Letter published by Kotaku.
Beginning today, 3/22, we’ll be offering a contactless delivery service called Delivery @ Door at all US store locations where state / local laws allow. For more info on how we will continue to serve you, please see below & click here for our full statement: https://t.co/qP9jDQUmjs pic.twitter.com/WfmS5ghMzE
– GameStop (@GameStop) March 23, 2020
They said they were "essential"
With the coronavirus on North American soil, GameStop reported its belief that its business was vital in ensuring the entertainment of inmates. Under this pretext, other basic necessities were equated with pharmacies or supermarkets:
"Given that the products we offer allow and improve the experience of our consumers when working from home, we believe that GameStop is classified as an essential retail business, so it is enabled to remain open during this period," they assured in the letter. "We have received news that local authorities are visiting stores in an attempt to force their closure despite our classification. Store managers are approved to provide the document that we attach to the police if necessary. ”
Source | Kotaku
