GameStop closing 180 to 200 stores this year

By Rebecca Spear
last updated

Could this be the beginning of the end for the struggling video game retailer?

GameStop
GameStop (Image credit: GameStop)

What you need to know

  • GameStop will close 180 to 200 stores by the end of 2019.
  • The chain recently laid off 50 field leaders in August.
  • The video game retailer currently has 5,700 stores worldwide.
  • GameStop says it plans to close even more stores within the next two years.

For the past several years, GameStop has been a staple for many gamers, but recently the company hasn't been doing so well. Like many other retailers, it's found it difficult to stay afloat with the increase of online shopping. Today, GameStop announced (opens in new tab) that due to a struggling Q2, the company would be closing 180 to 200 "under-performing" stores by the end of 2019. The company went on to say that it plans on closing additional stores within the next couple of years.

This doesn't come as much of shock considering that the company had a loss of $415.3 million in Q2, which just adds to the 2018 net loss of $675 million. The company recently laid off 50 "regional, district... leaders" in early August as well as seven Game Informer staff. George Sherman, GameStop's CEO, says he has a four-part game plan for getting the retailer back on its feet. This plan includes optimizing core business, becoming the social and cultural hub for gaming, building a digital platform, and improving vendor relationships.

We will set GameStop on the correct strategic path and fully leverage our unique position and brand in the video game industry... We also remain committed to returning capital to shareholders and balancing that opportunity against the need to maintain a strong balance sheet to properly run our business and invest in responsible growth.

At the time of this article, GameStop has 5,700 locations worldwide. The loss of the first 180 to 200 stores might not impact your area, but the additional closures within the next two years just might.

It's hard to watch the video game retailer struggle so openly. If GameStop closes it will make it a lot harder for people to window shop for collectibles that they can purchase cheaper on Amazon. But seriously, the fall of a video game store is something to be worried about. It makes it harder for gamers to find brick and mortar locations to purchase games on release day or simply to find nerdy merchandise that isn't sold anywhere else.

Game money

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Get the game or gear you want

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Rebecca Spear
Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Self-professed gaming geek, Rebecca Spear, is one of Windows Central's gaming editors with a focus on Xbox and PC gaming. When she isn't checking out the latest games on Xbox Game Pass, PC, or Steam Deck; she can be found digital drawing with a Wacom tablet. She's written thousands of game guides, previews, features, and hardware reviews over the last few years. If you need information about anything gaming related, her articles can help you out. She also loves testing game accessories and any new tech on the market. 

9 Comments
  • It means I may need to drive hours to get event Pokemon codes, if that's still a thing for SS (most likely not).
    Frankly speaking, if the price is higher at GameStop and there's no interesting exclusive bonus, why to buy game there.
  • Dedicated gaming stores simply can't survive in the modern retail environment, they are holding out as much as they can but they won't last.
  • And so it begins... They're going the way video rental stores went to their demise. Digital content purchasing has major impact on the world.
  • There are 4 stores within 15 mins from my home. I don't know how they've sustained that.
  • I hear you. I have at least 4 stores within 15 minutes from me. 2 of those stores are within a few miles of each other. Some people wouldn't even consider New Orleans a major metropolitan area.
  • I've never really liked them prices are way to high IMO and I can get better used prices on Craigslist.
  • Eh... I'll buy 3 stores from them.... I'll give em about $15 in trade in credit for them.
  • Lol it made me laugh
  • People make jokes about this but a lot of folks are going to lose their jobs. I feel sorry for them and their families.