I have come to the conclusion that it is very hard for a specialty businesses to survive in the era of Walmart and Amazon - which does not bode well long term for places like Barnes & Noble and Gamestop. I hope I am wrong.
These stores are all middlemen and if it's their sole function, they should expect to compete on efficiency.
However, there are tons of smaller stores that I still frequent due to atmosphere, niche goods, or a niche appeal. For example, friendly local game stores that have excellent customer service or local grocery stores that actually source their products using local connections. One provides an atmosphere that keeps it busy every time that I've been and the other provides goods that I can't find anywhere else, unless I'm getting a substitute good.
Brick and mortar stores that lack either should expect to go under, and hopefully be replaced by higher quality stores.
Their trade-in value for Destiny 2 is $24 (in store credit) and their pre-owned purchase price is $55. No wonder the sales staff force the pre-owned games over new.
Gamestop gave the middle finger to game producers when they realized how selling used games was way more profitable than new. When they file for chapter 11 in the near future they will claim downloadable games and competition from Amazon killed their business rather than their greed causing their suppliers to find alternative sales channels.
Gamestop has no hope for a continued existence with their current business model. Frankly, I'm surprised they are still around.
Do they not exist anymore because most kids are satisfied watching others play on the internet?