GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen has dismissed the industry-wide shift toward digital-only gaming as a non-factor for his business. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Cohen stated that Sony’s decision to stop manufacturing physical discs by January 2028 is "totally, totally irrelevant" to the retailer's future.
Quick Facts
- Sony will stop producing disc-based physical releases in January 2028.
- Physical software now represents only 18% of GameStop’s total revenue.
- GameStop is currently pivoting its business focus toward trading cards, collectibles, and toys.
While the announcement of Sony’s move away from physical media has triggered a significant response from trade groups in the UK—where physical sales accounted for half of all game revenue in 2025—Cohen maintains that the impact on GameStop will be minimal. The retailer has been steadily moving away from its traditional reliance on new and used software sales, which now make up less than one-fifth of its income.
A Pivot to Collectibles
The company’s shift in priorities is a direct response to a long-term decline in retail disc sales, which have been dropping in the United States since 2009. By focusing on non-gaming merchandise like trading cards and various collectibles, GameStop is attempting to insulate itself from the industry's transition to digital distribution.
Despite this focus, the company remains ambitious regarding its corporate structure. GameStop recently made an unsolicited attempt to acquire eBay for $55 billion, an offer that was rejected by the auction site. Despite the rebuff, reports suggest that Cohen continues to pursue the potential merger, viewing the combination as a path toward a $1 trillion business model.