Coronavirus: EB Games owner GameStop says it’s an essential retailer

A games retailer is being criticised for claiming it’s an essential retailer, putting staff and the public at risk as crowds gather for the launch of new games when they should be isolating.

It’s never been a better time to be a gamer.

Video game retail giant GameStop called itself “essential retail” in a memo to employees, instructing them to keep stores open — despite local governments around America issuing lockdowns amid the coronavirus crisis, Kotaku reported.

“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,” the memo obtained by Kotaku said.

GameStop owns the EB Games chain of stores that operates in Australia.

Outrage has been spreading on social media at the company’s claim.

This is absolutely reckless. We are in the midst of a pandemic. EB Games is not an essential service. Hot Topic, Lush and Indigo are closing their doors and paying employees. You are putting your employees at risk. This company ought to be ashamed. I will be downloading ACNH.

— ❤️ (@booksandpops) March 18, 2020

me, the clown: i gotta get to EB Games at 7:30am because there will be huge crowds for Animal Crossing even during a pandemic

the circus: pic.twitter.com/5DyNiWUVdQ

— Rachael Chee 🌿💧 (@rachael_tad) March 19, 2020

Working at EB Games right now is really weird. You have kids coming in of different ages touching everything and they don't know what they want when we offer to help. I can't tell if someone seems sick or on drugs and we were not sure if we were still going to be open.

— Ashley Asha Arjune (@writingoverashe) March 17, 2020

GameStop also allegedly told employees to encourage police officers to call corporate headquarters if they wish to attempt to enforce closures.

“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,” the memo read.

A GameStop employee wore a mask at one of the chain’s locations in Rockland County on Monday, telling The Post she wished the store would close out of concern for her 70-year-old father.

“I hate wearing this mask, but I have to. If I have to keep working, I need to make sure he’s okay,” she said.

On Wednesday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told all businesses statewide to instruct half of their employees to work from home — with “essential employees” continuing to work onsite.

The Bay Area instructed residents to shelter-in-place — which Tesla management also said it would defy, claiming to be part of “national critical infrastructure.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also offered to make ventilators during the pandemic.

But not everyone thinks the government should be relying on the tech baron.

Can't wait for Elon Musk to deliver, at 200x the cost of a normal ventilator, a rough approximation of a mid-1930s iron lung that leaks because he tried to machine titanium to airtight precision instead of using gaskets

— Tom Scocca (@tomscocca) March 19, 2020

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Coronavirus: EB Games owner GameStop says it’s an essential retailer