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We recently visited a GameStop store, and while there were plenty of people shopping there, we saw how its business model could suffer in a new era of video gaming.
GameStop announced in a press release on Tuesday that it is no longer looking to sell the company due to a "lack of available financing on terms that would be commercially acceptable to a prospective acquiror."
The company has been struggling in recent years. At the beginning of the month, it reported that sales were down 5% in the nine-week holiday period, and its game software sales have slipped.
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The company recently sold its Spring Mobile business, raking in approximately $735 million, according to a press release. The company is also still searching for a full-time CEO after former CEO Michael Mauler resigned for personal reasons in May, after three months on the job.
We visited a GameStop location in San Francisco, California, on the day that the board announced it is no longer selling the company.
But with the advent of downloadable games, like "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR," priced in-store for $59.99, customers can buy and play from their homes.
Microsoft and Sony, as well as Netflix, also offer game-streaming services. Over time that will likely translate to fewer physical games coming and going through GameStop.
A sign promoting 75% savings on gaming accessories, like a universal component cable, was displayed next to the @Play products.
New game controllers, like this Dualshock 4 wireless controller, were displayed. This one was priced at $64.99.
This PlayStation Scuf Vantage controller was more expensive, at $169.99.
And this multi-console compatible headset by Cloud Stinger Core was priced at $49.99.
An island of smart home devices, which included Roku products, sat near the controllers.
There were some interactive installations, like this "Kingdom Hearts" social media exhibit where participants could win a contest.
And full consoles, like the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4, sat on glass counters.
The PlayStation section was on the opposite side of the store from the Xbox department.
Next to the games were notices for Power Up Rewards members to receive twice the amount of points on purchases.
A sign advertising virtual currency to use in-game for "Battlefield V" hung next to the downloadable games.
Overall, the store was very organized and clean, and the discounts were clearly marked.
GameStop regularly has weekly deals, so there weren't any outrageous markdowns ...
... but downstairs was a bit messier.
Attached to this GameStop was a ThinkGeek, the retail store supplying pop culture enthusiasts with knick-knacks inspired by their favorite games and movies. GameStop acquired it in 2015.