GameStop CEO Says Physical Video-Game Sales Are ‘Irrelevant’ to Business

July 16, 2026 - 20:39

GameStop Corp. CEO Ryan Cohen has declared that physical video-game sales have become "irrelevant" to the company's bottom line. In a blunt assessment, Cohen dismissed worries about the declining market for game discs, arguing that those sales now represent a tiny fraction of the retailer's overall revenue. Instead, he doubled down on his long-term vision for the struggling chain: a pivot toward high-margin gaming collectibles and a potential acquisition of e-commerce giant eBay Inc.

Cohen's comments come as the video game industry rapidly shifts toward digital downloads and streaming. Physical game sales have been shrinking for years, and many analysts have questioned whether GameStop can survive without them. But the CEO made clear that he sees the company's future elsewhere. He emphasized that the real money lies in selling action figures, trading cards, and other memorabilia to dedicated collectors. The eBay play, meanwhile, would transform GameStop into a major online marketplace overnight.

Investors have reacted with cautious optimism. While the plan is risky, Cohen's track record with turning around troubled businesses has earned him some patience. For now, GameStop is betting that its brick-and-mortar stores can serve as hubs for collectors, even as the discs on their shelves become little more than nostalgia.