Retail Closures Spike as GameStop Shuts 470 Stores

Retail Closures Accelerate

Bisnow reports that GameStop is accelerating its retail closures, shuttering 470 locations this month across 43 states. The move, part of a “comprehensive store portfolio optimization,” follows a year in which the company shut 590 US stores. GameStop plans more retail closures in 2025 as it looks to rightsize operations and adapt to changing market conditions.

Strategic Shift and Leadership Incentives

Alongside closures, GameStop is also reducing its global presence. The company has exited Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Switzerland, with France next. Meanwhile, the board approved a potential $35B stock option award for CEO Ryan Cohen. The award is contingent on GameStop hitting a $100B market cap by fiscal year-end.

Financial and Market Context

GameStop’s Q3 net sales dropped to $821M. Still, the company reported $41M in operating income and over $77M in net income. These figures reflect a sharp turnaround from last year’s losses. Retail closures continue to reshape the sector. In 2025, Joann and Party City closed more than 1,500 stores combined. That wave of shutdowns mirrors a broader national trend, with total US closures surging nearly 70% year-over-year.

What’s Next

GameStop will continue its store optimization strategy, targeting further reductions in underperforming locations as the company seeks stability amid broader shifts in specialty retail. Industry observers expect retail closures to remain elevated as the sector evolves.