GameStop is making headlines once again, only this time it’s because the struggling retail chain is letting go more than 50 “field leaders,” a term referring to regional managers, district leaders, HR staff, and more.
Twitter user and podcaster MVG posted an image of an internal email circulating around GameStop confirming the details and providing more information.
The cuts come as part of GameStop’s ongoing “Reboot” process, where the company is restructuring multiple aspects of its model to try and remain viable.
We reported on part of that effort recently, but according to the internal email, GameStop is also reorganizing its districts as part of the Reboot program. According to the email:
Unfortunately, with these changes, there are more than 50 field leaders who have been impacted and will be leaving the GameStop team… These leaders will be missed, and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
Despite the phrasing, this basically just says they’re being layed off — not simply leaving the team. This reorganization is allegedly meant to cut costs further by combining districts, thus reducing the need for as many Field Leaders.
— MVG (@ModernVintageG) July 31, 2019
The email also says rather than strictly cutting costs, GameStop is using the freed-up revenue to invest in more “revenue-driving initiatives,” presumably referring to the consumer analysis projects mentioned in GameStop’s last announcement.
The Reboot is also going to change how the company handles internal tasks. The email goes on to say, “There is more work to be done to streamline the number of tasks for field leaders.”
Whether it refers to adding more tasks for field leaders or simply making existing work more efficient won’t be known until GameStop makes an official announcement.
