According to a new memo circulating online, GameStop employees have been instructed to ignore law enforcement should they try to shut down retail stores. GameStop’s corporate office claims that the video game retailer is an “essential" store and therefore is permitted to stay open during a city or county-wide lockdown.
As states continue to navigate the Coronavirus pandemic, many have begun to turn to extreme measures in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. One of the more drastic but necessary orders has been a “shelter in place” mandate that requires all citizens to stay in their homes and closes almost all businesses. Those that can remain open are categorized as essential, like grocery stores, pharmacies, and medical facilities.
Under this order, stores like GameStop should also remain closed, but it appears the company disagrees. In a memo given to GameStop employees, the corporate office says that managers should provide law enforcement with a document that instructs them to contact the GameStop’s corporate office.
“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.”
While there is copious evidence to support the fact that more games are being played during the Coronavirus pandemic, classifying GameStop as essential to that activity is a bit of a stretch. Retail stores like GameStop are far from necessary when it comes to acquiring games, especially with digital storefronts available for every major platform.
There are also shipping options available for hard copies of games, and while those deliveries might be delayed – like in the case of Final Fantasy 7 Remake – there is no need to ignore direct government recommendations to buy a game. GameStop even offers those shipping options to its customers.
Although GameStop likely would not use this is as a reason, there is a strong belief that the ongoing efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus could have major effects on the retailer. If states force the closure of all non-essential stores (and GameStop complied) then the company, like most businesses, would lose a lot of revenue. And considering the reports that GameStop is already struggling to stay afloat, a situation like this could mark the end of the company.
Ultimately, the state governments and law officials will be able to determine whether or not GameStop stays open during the upcoming lockdowns. The company is clearly willing to fight and stay open, but that doesn’t mean it will succeed. But this latest development, which follows an insider report that employees are running out of cleaning supplies, is certainly painting GameStop in a bad light.
Source: VICE Games