GameStop Ryan Cohen $35B Incentive Drives Massive 2026 Store Closures

A $35 billion payday is on the line, and it's costing hundreds of storefronts. GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen is aggressively slashing costs to hit a $100 billion market cap target. According to The Verge, the retailer is on track to shutter over 430 stores this month alone, just before the fiscal year ends.

The Race to a $100 Billion Market Cap

Cohen's massive stock option package is contingent on the company's valuation reaching historic heights. To get there, the company is trimming its physical footprint at an unprecedented rate. In fiscal year 2024, GameStop closed 590 stores. In a recent SEC filing, management confirmed it anticipates closing a "significant number" of additional locations throughout fiscal 2025.

Balancing Efficiency and Retail Presence

Analysts are divided on whether this lean strategy is sustainable. While cutting overhead is a textbook move to boost short-term profitability and market cap, it risks alienating a core customer base that still values physical game trading. The rush to meet the January 31st deadline highlights the pressure on Cohen to deliver results that justify his potential $35 billion incentive.