Video game retailer GameStop seem to be closing a significant amount of its U.S. stores after the holiday. The corporation has yet to make a statement on the matter.
GameStop employees and customers discuss store closures
As seen in several posts on the GameStop subreddit, it seems a large number of U.S. stores are shuttering. The company has not said anything about the closings, but current employees confirmed they were offered a transfer or severance. However, severance is only available to full-time employees. Transfers were offered to both full-time and part-time staff.
According to a user labeled “Manager” on the GameStop subreddit, full-time staff were offered one week pay for every year they’ve been with the company up to a maximum of eight weeks. Some have also said severance is only offered to Store Leads, and Assistant Store Leads. Game Advisors and Senior Game Advisors only get the option to transfer.
Another GameStop employee voiced their displeasure with how corporate handled the store closures.
“They couldn’t be arsed to maybe just make a post on MM saying ‘thanks for your hard work over the years’ or ‘it was a difficult decision’ or just a token statement about the closings? It would require very little effort,” said the employee.
Another Reddit user compared the sudden shuttering to how the company handled Game Informer’s closure last year. Just as inelegant, when the publication’s X (formerly Twitter) account gave its formal goodbye, the account was deleted minutes after the post.
Many customers have also voiced their surprise, and displeasure with their local stores closing. Much of the posts see customers reminiscing, sharing the good memories they had at their local GameStop.
Why these specific stores have closed are unknown. Especially as some of these stores had been there for years, or have seemingly done well.