GameStop stores in Ireland could be closing down soon. Changes made to these stores' policies, as well as the checkered history of GameStop, suggest that these locations will not be around for too much longer.
GameStop is known among gamers for its relentless pushing of certain programs it offers, particularly when it comes to pre-orders and the GameStop Pro loyalty program which gives subscribers early access to product drops and increased rewards points. These programs are among GameStop's most valuable given that they incentivize fans to become members and to pre-order upcoming game releases through GameStop, especially if it means getting access to exclusives such as the Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe GameStop pre-order bonus.
A recent announcement made on GameStop's website shows that these two programs have been discontinued in GameStop stores in Ireland starting March 22. Other discontinued programs in the region include gift cards, trade-ins, used product sales, and game protection. GameStop strongly encourages customers in Ireland to use any existing store credit or gift card balance they have and affirms that refunds and discounts will be offered to those who currently hold pre-orders and that no future pre-orders will be placed. This announcement strongly indicates that GameStop is closing its Ireland stores, news that would come after a series of major layoffs at GameStop that began late last year.
This news would be particularly upsetting to customers who planned on buying upcoming games through GameStop to get exclusive items such as the GameStop pre-order bonus for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or other future first-party Nintendo games. Additionally, discontinuing trade-ins and used game sales cuts virtually all of GameStop's stock in the used game market. Without these two cornerstones of its business, these GameStop stores are highly unlikely to be staying open for much longer.
Despite its recent profits and success in the stock market, GameStop is far from being the prime gaming retailer that it once was as it not only faces steep competition but also an evolving gaming landscape. With more people buying digital games over physical games and the fact that GameStop stores have already begun closing in Europe, it is increasingly less probable that these stores will be able to bounce back from these dire straits. While gamers in Ireland will still have plenty of other places to buy games, GameStop will likely not be one of them.
Source: GameStop