Target doubles shelf space for Blu-ray

[Gremal]

I realize these observations cover only one Target store, but if the one in my neighborhood is any indication of what's happening at other Targets and brick-n-mortars in general, it's looking good for Blu-ray.

My Target had an equal space dedicated to Blu-ray and HD DVD (3 rows each). For the first time yesterday I noticed it shifted to four rows for Blu-ray and only two for HD DVD.

More important, the blu-ray section was almost cleared out and while I was standing there looking at the small inventory, a lady with her two kids showed up and grabbed at least four Blu-ray titles, including new releases. She seemed to hesitate on the one remaining copy of Planet Earth (which I had never seen Target stock before) so I mentioned to her that it was a great documentary and had incredible camera-work and nature scenes. She chucked that and the other Blu-rays in her cart, leaving maybe 5-6 titles left in stock and went on her way.

If this is any indication of what is happening at other stores, I am very heartened. These discs are literally flying off the shelves. As for the HD DVD section, it looks like it is collecting dust and stocked to the gils.

[talbers23]

that is great news. next time im at the targets in my area i will check to see if the made the same 4:2 move.

[hyperdine]

It's funny that you should mention this, Gremal. I see similar types of anecdotes playing out at my local Best Buys as well (there are two of them where I live). Whenever I go to the Blu-Ray section (which is everytime I visit) there's always someone else there looking through the titles or stopping to watch the demo. I never say anything, because I just like to observe people's behavior to see if they're seriously looking/buying, or if they're just curious. More often than not, they are buying.

Once in a blue moon, I'll see someone scanning the HD-DVD section and picking up a title, but it's pretty rare. I'm not just saying that because I'm a fan of Blu-Ray. That's just what I've personally observed. I'm beginning to think that it's true that most HD-DVD supporters buy all their discs online, because I certainly don't see them in the stores. Of course, it could just be the area that I live in has more BD supporters.

This is what makes me think that we'll continue to see retailers favor Blu-Ray in terms of shelf space and promotion. I really think this is the last holiday shopping season that we'll see both formats on the shelves.

Your Target experience is another great example of why the Paramount news, while a big deal to us here, doesn't necessarily translate into what's happening in the "real world". Do you think that mom even knew about the Paramount deal, or would even care if she did?

[Gremal]

Yeah, the one time I saw anyone browse the HD DVD discs at Target, it was a young couple. They kept asking each other why the discs were so expensive. Apparently, they didn't realize it was a new format and once they found the title they were looking for on standard DVD at a lower price, they were happy. Not that I was following them around...just observing.

[w_tanoto]

Same in UK, except in the UK it happened several months ago already. BD filled 90% of the space, while HD DVD is only given a "temporary box" to display them hahahahaha..... :lol: That is HMV london oxford street and hatfield.

Even worse, HD DVD started as majority of HD disc on display, Jan 2007, by May, the above things happen.

[thehappyman]

Everytime I go into the local Super Target I always give the new DVD's a once over...... Target has always had two racks for hi-def dvd's, a rack for HD and a rack for Blu Ray. The racks have always been the same "width"....... but it always looks as though the titles in the HD rack never get bought, because it's always full with the same old titles.

Well, today I go in and lo and behold, the rack for Blu Ray has doubled in size and is now twice as wide as the HD rack. A sign of the changing times ???????

[rezpekt]

Well, take a look at the release dates for upcoming blurays:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movie...how=comingsoon
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/releasedates.html

I wouldn't be surprised if there would be 4 racks for BluRays soon.

[whippersnapper]

After seeing the opening post I dropped by my local Target store on my way home from running an errand. The amount of shelf space devoted to hi-def videos is the same as before (nothing to write home about). However, before it was 50%/50% breakout between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Today it was two/thirds Blu-ray and one/third HD-DVD. They took away some of the previous HD-DVD space and made it into Blu-ray space.

Still no sign yet of any Blu-ray endcaps.

[atomik kinder]

There must be something to this because the same thing has happened at two of the Target stores I frequent.

[thehappyman]

Has to be a corporate decision then........... somebody got smart

[Blu_J]

Same with my local target. Blu space doubled, HD space same size. Blu space had several sold out holes, HD space fully stocked...

[jw]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

After seeing the opening post I dropped by my local Target store on my way home from running an errand. The amount of shelf space devoted to hi-def videos is the same as before (nothing to write home about). However, before it was 50%/50% breakout between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Today it was two/thirds Blu-ray and one/third HD-DVD. They took away some of the previous HD-DVD space and made it into Blu-ray space.

Still no sign yet of any Blu-ray endcaps.

same has happened in our stores

[Cyorg]

I bought my copy of 300 from Target and even the employees stocking the racks were making comments about how much blu is outselling hd-dud.

[eRICH]

I stopped by my local Target today and all of the BLU ray movies were sold out! I was happy to see this because the BLU ray area was twice as big as the HD DVD!! I asked one of the sales clerks and he told me that this happens a lot, BLU ray always seems to sell out.

[Bond007]

Originally Posted by Blu_J

Same with my local target. Blu space doubled, HD space same size. Blu space had several sold out holes, HD space fully stocked...

Same at my Target.

[Cre8inator]

So I was in Target tonight. Up til now, they have had two rows of HD-DVDs and two rows of Blu-Ray discs.

When I walked in tonight, I was pleased to see the usual two rows of HD-DVDs shamefully whimpering next to a whopping FOUR rows of Blu-Ray. Oh the times... they are a changin'.

[PrinceLH]

Originally Posted by Cre8inator

So I was in Target tonight. Up til now, they have had two rows of HD-DVDs and two rows of Blu-Ray discs.

When I walked in tonight, I was pleased to see the usual two rows of HD-DVDs shamefully whimpering next to a whopping FOUR rows of Blu-Ray. Oh the times... they are a changin'.

I saw that too, in my local Watertown, NY Target. I also noticed that the local Walmart had 12 BD titles, in stock and one lonely HD DVD title, 300, in stock. A month ago, there were only 3 titles in stock. Times, they are a changing!

[u_nick]

Same here. They made the change here in CT about a week or two ago. So nice and refreshing to see.

[lokus]

Same here in Moorestown, NJ as well as Riverside, NJ.

[atomik kinder]

Same here with the ones I go to. Hopefully they will get in the habit of carrying the new releases at least of the most popular day and date titles. I have had trouble finding them, but they seem to be doing a better job at it. They never did get TMNT, which I thought was kind of strange. They did get Disturbia but it seemed like it was a week later as was the same with Vacancy. But Wild Hogs was there on release day.