GameStop Begins Reopening Select Stores Amid Ongoing Retail Shift

GameStop announced on its social-media channels that “select closed stores” will reopen nationwide beginning September 11. A company spokesperson told IGN the count is “at least one” as of that date, indicating that additional locations may follow but no further numbers have been disclosed.

GameStop is reopening recently closed stores despite massive retail cuts — select locations return nationwide starting September 11

The retailer has dramatically reduced its physical footprint over the past half-decade. Since 2020, GameStop has closed over a thousand stores as digital downloads supplanted physical discs. A blog that tracks the retailer’s shutdowns listed roughly 470 U.S. locations as either confirmed closed or slated for closure in the latest round of reductions reported for January 2026.

GameStop is reopening recently closed stores despite massive retail cuts — select locations return nationwide starting September 11

The decline of physical media is accelerating. Sony announced it will cease production of new physical PlayStation game discs by January 2028, signaling that the forthcoming PlayStation 6 will likely lack a disc drive. While Xbox’s future plans remain less clear, the industry trend points toward a disc-free ecosystem.

GameStop is reopening recently closed stores despite massive retail cuts — select locations return nationwide starting September 11

GameStop has been diversifying its revenue streams. CEO Ryan Cohen stated in July that software—both physical games and digital codes—accounts for less than 12 % of the company’s business. However, GameStop’s fiscal 2025 filings show software representing 20.1 % of total sales. Collectibles, such as Funko Pops and other geek-culture items, now make up 29.2 % of fiscal 2025 revenue and have grown 47.7 % year-over-year, underscoring the retailer’s pivot toward merchandise beyond games.

GameStop is reopening recently closed stores despite massive retail cuts — select locations return nationwide starting September 11

The spokesperson emphasized that the reopening is a “limited” effort rather than a reversal of the broader cost-cutting strategy. No definitive timeline for additional store returns was provided, and the company remains “tight-lipped” on the total number of locations slated to reopen.

GameStop is reopening recently closed stores despite massive retail cuts — select locations return nationwide starting September 11

Reopening select stores may allow GameStop to capitalize on its expanding collectibles segment while maintaining a physical presence for community events and impulse purchases. The move also signals confidence that a hybrid model—combining limited brick-and-mortar with a strong online and merchandise focus—can sustain the brand despite the industry’s shift away from physical game discs.

GameStop is reopening recently closed stores despite massive retail cuts — select locations return nationwide starting September 11