The Dying Brand Just Can’t Make the Right Decisions
A couple of days ago, GameStop made a statement that they will be forcing stores to stay open during the COVID-19 shutdowns. A GameStop employee reported to Kotaku for the reasons why, stating “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.” Unsurprisingly, forcing their employees and franchise owners to work in these dangerous conditions were met with a fierce backlash from the public. While I understand the brand is struggling at this time, and what they say it true, I feel that they didn’t really think this one through. How about the public image?
Thankfully, they just reversed that decision and will be going online-only during the COVID-19 crisis. This is great news for the people working at GameStop, but the damage to their image was already done. Even before, they have been under constant criticisms of many things, such as their infamously terrible trade-in deals which has become a meme in of itself. Better late than never, I guess.
GameStop CEO George Sherman made the following statement: “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.”
Well George, it really didn’t seem like your priority a few days ago. Hmm. This is honestly as PR talk as it can get, a bunch of empty words with lies so obvious you could smell it from a mile away. With the complete takeover of online gaming, storefront retail has become less and less relevant to gamers and I have a diffult time imagining that ever changing. Do you think there is something GameStop can do to revolutionize? Or are they as doomed as BlockBusters?
Source: IGN