Across the United States, businesses that have been deemed non-essential were closing all physical stores until the end of the month due to the coronavirus. A further nudge from California’s “Safer at Home” declaration (as well as other states) have forced the hand of several retailers to follow suit, now including GameStop.
On Thursday, the company claimed that they would remain open as they considered themselves an “essential business”. Following that statement, criticism unleashed online and had some wondering if local law enforcement would force businesses to close due to county orders. Now, two days later, GameStop has had to rescind that stance updating their latest press release with the following:
“Effective March 22, 2020 – GameStop will close customer access to U.S. storefronts and will process orders on a digital only basis, moving to curbside pick-up at stores and eCommerce delivery only[.] Company to pay employees whose hours have been eliminated for an additional 2 weeks, and will reimburse one full month of employee benefit contributions[.]”
We’ll continue to follow any future developments and report them here at Nintendo Wire. Stay safe everyone.
Press Release:
Leave a CommentGRAPEVINE, Texas, March 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), today provided an update related to its United States store operations and customer service related to COVID-19.
Effective Sunday March 22, 2020, for all locations not already closed in accordance with state and local orders, GameStop will temporarily stop customer access to storefronts, processing orders on a digital only basis, moving to curbside pick-up at stores and eCommerce delivery only. This will allow the Company to continue to serve customers who have purchased online at GameStop.com and the GameStop app and have requested a product pick-up at their local store.
George Sherman, GameStop’s Chief Executive Officer said, “This is an unprecedented time and each day brings new information about the COVID-19 pandemic. Our priority has been and continues to be on the well-being of our employees, customers and business partners. We have been steadfast in our adherence to CDC-guided safety and local government orders for retailers in each of our communities. As millions of Americans look to GameStop to adjust to their new normal of increased time at home, for work, learning and play, we have implemented practices to help ensure the safety and health of our employees, customers and partners. We believe it is prudent to institute further safety protocols while meeting this increased demand through curbside pick-up. As such, stores that remain in operation will provide only pick-up at the door or delivery to home activities to further protect our employees and customers.”
The Company will continue to offer its products online at GameStop.com and on the GameStop app for customers to have their products shipped directly to their homes.
All U.S.GameStop employees have been ensured that they do not have to work if they are not comfortable and should stay home if they feel sick. Additionally, the Company has announced it will pay all U.S. employees whose hours have been eliminated an additional two weeks at their regular pay rate based on the average hours worked in the last 10 weeks. In addition, the Company will reimburse all benefit eligible U.S. employees, one month of the employee portion of benefit expenses.
Written by Jennifer Burch
Illustrator, designer, writer and big Nintendo geek, you can find Jennifer with an N3DS within reach 24/7. As the oldest of three, she has survived many Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart sessions intact in addition to getting her brothers hooked on some really weird games. (Cubivore anyone?)
