GameStop Now Open on Thanksgiving

The times have not been kind to physical gaming retailers like GameStop. Whereas before they were a one-stop mecca of video game goodness, now that so many in the gaming world rely on the convenience of digital downloads, the former giant has to struggle to get by. The used game market is still fairly healthy (thank goodness they've more-or-less stopped demonizing the used game marketplace) but that alone cannot sustain a company of that size. So it should be little surprise they've been a bit needy when it comes to trying to boost sales, ranging from weird mobile tie-ins, exclusive unlocks, and some cringe-inducing commercials.

But I'm not sure anyone was expecting them to start opening on the Holidays.  Specifically, as reported by Kotaku, GameStop has reversed a position they took three years ago where, out of respect for their employees and families, they closed the store on Thanksgiving. But now that's been switched around, so the store will indeed be open on this most fattening of holidays, albeit for a limited time.

To better serve our guests with their evolving holiday shopping needs, this year GameStop will open its stores for a shortened and limited time on Thanksgiving Day. Many of our store associates and guests have asked for this. We have heard their requests and are making an adjustment to our previous position on this topic.

I'm not sure how many people ask to work on holidays like this, but this would hardly be the first time the company's found itself in the spotlight for shady business practices even this year. Earlier this year, the oddly-named "circle of life" program was revealed to the public, where the company incentivized employees to heavily sell visitors on their products and punished those who did not. They've since canceled the program, but only after it was leaked to the public and a fuss was raised.

If the same will happen now is uncertain. But it's hard to blame GameStop, if you think about it. The world rallied against an always-online Xbox One, but as far as GameStop is concerned, it might as well have actually happened.

And it's only a matter of time before it really does.