Springfield GameStop expected to remain open, while up to 200 to close nationwide

Casey McGraw and Tucker Goldberg look over the items they purchased at Game Stop on Bechtle Avenue Friday as they leave the store. A manager at the store says it is expected to remain open, after company leaders announced they would close up to 200 locations. Plans for a second Springfield location were unclear Friday. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Casey McGraw and Tucker Goldberg look over the items they purchased at Game Stop on Bechtle Avenue Friday as they leave the store. A manager at the store says it is expected to remain open, after company leaders announced they would close up to 200 locations. Plans for a second Springfield location were unclear Friday. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

A store official at a Springfield GameStop says the location is expected to remain open even though the company announced it will close 180 to 200 stores.

“Our store is going to be 100% fine,” said Chris Loy, the assistant store leader of the GameStop located on North Bechtle Avenue. “The store on Bechtle is going to be fine, I know that.”

A fiscal report shows that GameStop has been struggling with weak earnings as more gamers download digital copies of games or use subscription services.

Total sales in the second quarter decreased 14.3% to $1.3 billion compared to last year’s numbers, according to the fiscal report released by GameStop.

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Even though total sales have decreased nationwide for GameStop, Loy said he believes the Springfield store’s sales have increased in previous months.

“With Borderlands coming out and then Call of Duty next month, it’s been doing pretty well,” Loy said.

On a conference call with investors, company leaders said the retailer would be closing between 180 and 200 stores, according to multiple media reports. The company did not announce which store locations will be closing.

Most of the “underperforming” closures will come in the next 12 to 24 months, the company said.

Springfield has a second GameStop on South Tuttle Road.

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The store manager, Daniel Hickey, said he was unable to comment if their store would close and directed questions to the corporate office.

GameStop did not announce which store locations will be closing and expects sales to decrease in the teens, compared to earlier expectations of a 5% to 10% decrease.

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