JB Hi-Fi now "trialling" getting rid of all Blus, DVDs, CDs, Vinyl from some stores - Blu-ray Forum

foreigncontaminant · 11-05-2020, 06:19 AM

So, for Aussie consumers...
JB Hi-Fi at the Castle Hill HOME store in NSW, has recently removed all Blu-rays, DVDs, CDs and Vinyl from it's store.

I contacted them to complain, having spent a lot of money at this store over the years. I was told by a store manager that of the 260 JB stores, 2 of them are now "trialing" getting rid of all media completely. All they sell are appliances.

So, JB Hi-Fi may soon become nothing more than an appliance store. And sell nothing artistic - just consumer goods. They might as well drop "Hi-Fi" from their name, given they will sell nothing to play on one.

I'm a big fan of CDs. I love owning music, as well as film. I now view JB as a small, and shrinking, retailer of entertainment media. Even their website has a smaller backorder catalogue, than even sanity.com.au. So it seems like they are making less effort.

Disappointing. Sorry if this info has been shared already. Just the messenger, and thought I would share with you guys. I hope it doesn't go in this direction, and I will continue to do my part to support sellers of media.

cheers.

gottaget · 11-05-2020, 06:45 AM

I think the ones inside malls will keep selling movies and music discs, while the ones situated in home centers will remove them

Cevolution · 11-05-2020, 06:48 AM

I live close to Castle Hill, there are two JB stores in that suburb, the other one at Castle Towers sells physical media... How many do we need

, Rouse Hill, Parramatta, Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Penrith, Jamisontown, Wetherill Park, are all within a 10-30 minute distance, hardly a big deal or inconvenience.

Cevolution · 11-05-2020, 07:08 AM

I'll also add, I think having a JB Home only store at the Hills Super Centre at Castle Hill makes sense, it fits in with the other type of businesses at that centre. The Hills Super Centre is actually where I found the place that made my custom Tasmanian oak shelves for my movie collection.

foreigncontaminant · 11-05-2020, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cevolution

I live close to Castle Hill, there are two JB stores in that suburb, the other one at Castle Towers sells physical media... How many do we need

, Rouse Hill, Parramatta, Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Penrith, Jamisontown, Wetherill Park, are all within a 10-30 minute distance, hardly a big deal or inconvenience.

I also confirmed with the manager that the Castle Towers store is reducing it's stock - though not getting rid of it completely. But smaller stock means less variety, and predominantly mainstream titles, and less unusual stuff.

He also said this, and I will quote directly from the email:

"I imagine in 5 years or so most stores will be the same, as physical media sales are declining at about 20% each year."

Note also the word "trialing". The implication being they suspect in future, JB may stop stocking media in all stores.

As I said - just mentioning this. I am as resentful as you probably are. And I continue to buy as many titles as I can afford, as I love owning physical media. I would encourage everyone to continue enjoying the hobby, and supporting it. And maybe some niche stores will survive, and these forecasts will not come true.

I had also been feeling that the pandemic might have given a boost to sales of media. I have been to a couple of independent music stores lately who have suggested to me that it has.

Aunt Peg · 11-05-2020, 07:48 AM

Oh well. I'll just purchase from Amazon.au.

And there is Bing-Li and The Good Buys from players, etc.

I haven't purchased anything from Jerry Harvey is years and happy to do the same to JB.

foreigncontaminant · 11-05-2020, 07:58 AM

I actually kinda hope that a bit more mindfulness of the idea that "it could all go away one day", helps to encourage sales while there are still stores that sell physical media.

Not that you guys probably need a whole lot of encouragement to continue buying. As it's the basis of this website itself. And I know you're all avid buyers as it is

But still. It doesn't hurt to appreciate the stores that do sell these products.

I still miss HMV and all the others. I'm not saying their prices were good. Just that I enjoyed the act of browsing and buying in person, and being able to visit vast stores that sold music and film. It would be a sad day if there were no physical stores at which to do that anymore. That's all.

Call me nostalgic. But the HOME centre JB store had the typical, tall aisles of disc titles. I work nearby, and used to spend $500 there per year, just with lunchtime visits. Now they've lost my contribution.

One day we might all be like, "remember when JB had those massive aisles of Blu-rays and DVDs..."

That's the way I still feel about Harvey Norman's and Games Wizards' 1990s aisles, of big box PC computer games. All long gone now.

Cevolution · 11-05-2020, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aunt Peg

Oh well. I'll just purchase from Amazon.au.

And there is Bing-Li and The Good Buys from players, etc.

I haven't purchased anything from Jerry Harvey is years and happy to do the same to JB.

I think you are missing the big picture there though... If JB were to completely drop physical media, then our local pickings will definitely get slimmer for Blu-ray's, and they would become even more of a niche here. Amazon.au certainly will not be our saviour (anyone who thinks that Amazon.au will pickup the slack if JB retires their physical media range are kidding themselves), JB leaving our market would be devastating for all Australian physical media collectors.

lemonski · 11-05-2020, 09:25 AM

Leaving personal investment in physical media aside, it seems like a dumb idea. Selling only appliances means there’s nothing to differentiate themselves from all the other box movers who do exactly the same thing (Harvey Norman, Bing Lee, The Good Guys, here in NZ Noel Leeming, HN and other smaller players). I don’t get it, they’d just be joining a race to the bottom. At least with media they’re attracting a unique market segment into the store that wouldn’t visit any of those other places.

Cevolution · 11-05-2020, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemonski

Leaving personal investment in physical media aside, it seems like a dumb idea. Selling only appliances means there’s nothing to differentiate themselves from all the other box movers who do exactly the same thing (Harvey Norman, Bing Lee, The Good Guys, here in NZ Noel Leeming, HN and other smaller players). I don’t get it, they’d just be joining a race to the bottom. At least with media they’re attracting a unique market segment into the store that wouldn’t visit any of those other places.

Which is a great reason for JB not to ever get rid of physical media in my opinion, however, for this particular centre at Castle Hill that the OP is referring to, people go there for furniture and other things to improve their homes, physical media is out of place there, it's not the target market.

isamu_ · 11-05-2020, 09:41 AM

I fired off a text to a pal who works at JB corporate. Their response:

"Home is its own format. Physical media isn't disappearing we basically own the market. Footprint reductions will be considered store by store, there's a whole strategic review and focus on what's best suited for online. Big interest in boutique categories, potential project happening in that space."

malakaheso · 11-05-2020, 10:18 AM

^^One could feel tempted to write that off as arrogant, but it's the truth. They do practically own the market in Australia, and as long as there is some money to be made, they will make it.

fuzzymctiger · 11-05-2020, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malakaheso

^^One could feel tempted to write that off as arrogant, but it's the truth. They do practically own the market in Australia, and as long as there is some money to be made, they will make it.

I was thinking the same just the other day. I remember when other retailers like Sanity were everywhere as well, but over the years it really has reduced to just JB HiFi as the only chain with a solid selection of media

AzorroGMX · 11-05-2020, 01:20 PM

Reading this, and honestly did not realise this was a 'trial' concept that they've made it out to be. From my personal experience, in the Perth CBD, there is 3 JB's alone all targeted to different people (apart from computers that seem to be in all 3): one with TV, media and gaming, another for home appliances, and the third for cameras and printers. They have been doing this for the past 2 years.

Unless, we were the guinea pigs for this...

thecooldud · 11-05-2020, 07:32 PM

Yes, this would definitely not be a good thing...

Caustic · 11-05-2020, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cevolution

Which is a great reason for JB not to ever get rid of physical media in my opinion, however, for this particular centre at Castle Hill that the OP is referring to, people go there for furniture and other things to improve their homes, physical media is out of place there, it's not the target market.

The purpose of the HOME concept was exactly that. Sell white goods and appliances. I am not sure any normies (none of us here qualify) would scoop up a few blus while haggling over the price of their next smart fridge

adamclark83 · 11-06-2020, 01:16 AM

This is utterly ridiculous.

JB has always been a home entertainment store; TVs, DVD/Blu-ray players, home cinema, Hi-Fi, gaming and thousands of titles to play/watch on them. When they started selling whitegoods, they kind of lost some of their identity but that would go a lot further if they cut out the DVDs, Blu-rays and CDs.

shireguy · 11-06-2020, 01:57 AM

As I noted in another thread.. was at JB Hurstville yesterday and the shelves for this section where reduced massively - no more high shelving like one would see at say Bankstown, Parra Westfield..nope.. those low level ones. Makes the whole section look and feel... CHEAP and CRAP just shoved into the corner

I should also mention my other home at Bathurst...and having a MASSIVE section of those damn pop things in the Video section. What the **** ?!?

Gotta agree... it’s no longer HI FI... the years of going down to Melb and visiting a store in Richmond.. when it was about music and video... slowly going away.

Methinks JB is going to enter some tough years in the next few... throwing itself into too many appliances... stuff that just doesn’t move as quickly... and IT items which are updated frequently.

Added with the extra burden of The Good Guys... these shops are like ghost towns until the weekends

Mr_Orange · 11-06-2020, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cevolution

Amazon.au certainly will not be our saviour (anyone who thinks that Amazon.au will pickup the slack if JB retires their physical media range are kidding themselves), JB leaving our market would be devastating for all Australian physical media collectors.

You're not wrong.

Amazon won't stock physical media if the market is shrinking. If they do, it will be at full RRP without any discounts/sales as there won't be another retailer to price match. You might also see some Amazon Marketplace sellers but they are invariably more expensive.

spikdaspak1 · 11-06-2020, 06:23 AM

I wonder if the burke street store in melbourne city, which is still closed to public after the lockdown here, is going in the same direction, re moving of the music/dvd and bluray from store like the one in sydney? The day physical media in australia is not sold by jbhifi, is well a death nell for this type of media in this country.

11-05-2020, 06:19 AM	#1
foreigncontaminant Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2017 4K collection:2 Blu-ray collection:220 DVD collection:14 Blu-ray reviews:1	JB Hi-Fi now "trialling" getting rid of all Blus, DVDs, CDs, Vinyl from some stores So, for Aussie consumers... JB Hi-Fi at the Castle Hill HOME store in NSW, has recently removed all Blu-rays, DVDs, CDs and Vinyl from it's store. I contacted them to complain, having spent a lot of money at this store over the years. I was told by a store manager that of the 260 JB stores, 2 of them are now "trialing" getting rid of all media completely. All they sell are appliances. So, JB Hi-Fi may soon become nothing more than an appliance store. And sell nothing artistic - just consumer goods. They might as well drop "Hi-Fi" from their name, given they will sell nothing to play on one. I'm a big fan of CDs. I love owning music, as well as film. I now view JB as a small, and shrinking, retailer of entertainment media. Even their website has a smaller backorder catalogue, than even sanity.com.au. So it seems like they are making less effort. Disappointing. Sorry if this info has been shared already. Just the messenger, and thought I would share with you guys. I hope it doesn't go in this direction, and I will continue to do my part to support sellers of media. cheers.

11-05-2020, 07:08 AM	#4
Cevolution Banned Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 Location:Sydney, Australia Home Theater Gallery:23 4K collection:668 Blu-ray collection:3104 Trading Score:8	I'll also add, I think having a JB Home only store at the Hills Super Centre at Castle Hill makes sense, it fits in with the other type of businesses at that centre. The Hills Super Centre is actually where I found the place that made my custom Tasmanian oak shelves for my movie collection. Last edited by Cevolution; 11-05-2020 at 07:18 AM. Reason: Spelling error

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11-05-2020, 06:45 AM	#2
gottaget Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2020 4K collection:879 Blu-ray collection:4088 DVD collection:278	I think the ones inside malls will keep selling movies and music discs, while the ones situated in home centers will remove them

11-05-2020, 06:48 AM	#3
Cevolution Banned Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 Location:Sydney, Australia Home Theater Gallery:23 4K collection:668 Blu-ray collection:3104 Trading Score:8	I live close to Castle Hill, there are two JB stores in that suburb, the other one at Castle Towers sells physical media... How many do we need , Rouse Hill, Parramatta, Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Penrith, Jamisontown, Wetherill Park, are all within a 10-30 minute distance, hardly a big deal or inconvenience.

11-05-2020, 07:48 AM	#6
Aunt Peg Blu-ray Count Member since:May 2013 Location:Sydney 4K collection:164 Blu-ray collection:4845 DVD collection:518	Oh well. I'll just purchase from Amazon.au. And there is Bing-Li and The Good Buys from players, etc. I haven't purchased anything from Jerry Harvey is years and happy to do the same to JB.

11-05-2020, 07:58 AM	#7
foreigncontaminant Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2017 4K collection:2 Blu-ray collection:220 DVD collection:14 Blu-ray reviews:1	I actually kinda hope that a bit more mindfulness of the idea that "it could all go away one day", helps to encourage sales while there are still stores that sell physical media. Not that you guys probably need a whole lot of encouragement to continue buying. As it's the basis of this website itself. And I know you're all avid buyers as it is But still. It doesn't hurt to appreciate the stores that do sell these products. I still miss HMV and all the others. I'm not saying their prices were good. Just that I enjoyed the act of browsing and buying in person, and being able to visit vast stores that sold music and film. It would be a sad day if there were no physical stores at which to do that anymore. That's all. Call me nostalgic. But the HOME centre JB store had the typical, tall aisles of disc titles. I work nearby, and used to spend $500 there per year, just with lunchtime visits. Now they've lost my contribution. One day we might all be like, "remember when JB had those massive aisles of Blu-rays and DVDs..." That's the way I still feel about Harvey Norman's and Games Wizards' 1990s aisles, of big box PC computer games. All long gone now.

11-05-2020, 09:25 AM	#9
lemonski Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Sep 2007 4K collection:219 Blu-ray collection:2304 Trading Score:5	Leaving personal investment in physical media aside, it seems like a dumb idea. Selling only appliances means there’s nothing to differentiate themselves from all the other box movers who do exactly the same thing (Harvey Norman, Bing Lee, The Good Guys, here in NZ Noel Leeming, HN and other smaller players). I don’t get it, they’d just be joining a race to the bottom. At least with media they’re attracting a unique market segment into the store that wouldn’t visit any of those other places.

11-05-2020, 09:41 AM	#11
isamu_ Member Member since:Aug 2020	I fired off a text to a pal who works at JB corporate. Their response: "Home is its own format. Physical media isn't disappearing we basically own the market. Footprint reductions will be considered store by store, there's a whole strategic review and focus on what's best suited for online. Big interest in boutique categories, potential project happening in that space."

11-05-2020, 10:18 AM	#12
malakaheso Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2013 Location:Melbourne, Australia 4K collection:103 Blu-ray collection:1057 DVD collection:293	^^One could feel tempted to write that off as arrogant, but it's the truth. They do practically own the market in Australia, and as long as there is some money to be made, they will make it.

11-05-2020, 01:20 PM	#14
AzorroGMX Member Member since:Apr 2019 Location:Perth, WA 4K collection:37 Blu-ray collection:1736 DVD collection:3	Reading this, and honestly did not realise this was a 'trial' concept that they've made it out to be. From my personal experience, in the Perth CBD, there is 3 JB's alone all targeted to different people (apart from computers that seem to be in all 3): one with TV, media and gaming, another for home appliances, and the third for cameras and printers. They have been doing this for the past 2 years. Unless, we were the guinea pigs for this...

11-05-2020, 07:32 PM	#15
thecooldud Banned Member since:Jul 2017 Location:The interior of my own mind 4K collection:7 Blu-ray collection:929 Blu-ray reviews:1	Yes, this would definitely not be a good thing...

11-06-2020, 01:16 AM	#17
adamclark83 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Nov 2011 Location:Melbourne, Australia 4K collection:61 Blu-ray collection:1419 DVD collection:1245	This is utterly ridiculous. JB has always been a home entertainment store; TVs, DVD/Blu-ray players, home cinema, Hi-Fi, gaming and thousands of titles to play/watch on them. When they started selling whitegoods, they kind of lost some of their identity but that would go a lot further if they cut out the DVDs, Blu-rays and CDs.

11-06-2020, 01:57 AM	#18
shireguy Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2009 Location:Sydney and Bathurst 4K collection:450 Blu-ray collection:5143 Blu-ray reviews:29	As I noted in another thread.. was at JB Hurstville yesterday and the shelves for this section where reduced massively - no more high shelving like one would see at say Bankstown, Parra Westfield..nope.. those low level ones. Makes the whole section look and feel... CHEAP and CRAP just shoved into the corner I should also mention my other home at Bathurst...and having a MASSIVE section of those damn pop things in the Video section. What the **** ?!? Gotta agree... it’s no longer HI FI... the years of going down to Melb and visiting a store in Richmond.. when it was about music and video... slowly going away. Methinks JB is going to enter some tough years in the next few... throwing itself into too many appliances... stuff that just doesn’t move as quickly... and IT items which are updated frequently. Added with the extra burden of The Good Guys... these shops are like ghost towns until the weekends

11-06-2020, 06:23 AM	#20
spikdaspak1 Junior Member Member since:Nov 2020	I wonder if the burke street store in melbourne city, which is still closed to public after the lockdown here, is going in the same direction, re moving of the music/dvd and bluray from store like the one in sydney? The day physical media in australia is not sold by jbhifi, is well a death nell for this type of media in this country.

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