GameStop's hard-selling game retailer has tried its best to stay open during the COVID-19 outbreak, but starting March 2 will be closing all access to physical stores across the US.
A PR official explains that for all areas that have not already been closed in accordance with state and local regulations, the company will temporarily suspend customer access to storefronts. It will now process orders on a digital basis only, moving on to over-the-counter shopping and eCommerce distribution only. This will allow the company to continue to serve customers who shop online and request product pick-up at a local store.
GameStop Chief Executive George Sherman said that was critical to the well-being of employees, consumers and business partners.
We stand firm in our compliance with the CDC-led security and local government directives of vendors in each of our communities. As millions of Americans look to GameStop to adapt to their new conditions of home-grown time, work, study and play, we have developed ways to help the safety and health of our employees, consumers and partners. We believe it is prudent to introduce some safety principles while meeting this expanded need through curbside takeover. As such, stores that are still in operation will only provide pick-up or delivery to homework to further protect our employees and customers.
All staff were assured that they "didn't have to work when they were uncomfortable" and should stay home if they felt sick. The company also said it would pay all American workers whose hours have been removed for two weeks in addition to their hourly rate based on the number of hours worked in the past 10 weeks. The company will also reimburse all eligible employees who have benefited from the United States, within one month of the employee's cost of benefits.
GameStop will provide more details about its performance in its fourth quarter 2019 financial results next week on March 26th.