Some Retailers Tilting Toward Blu-ray

[BBlue]

Some Retailers Tilting Toward Blu-ray
Stores are reducing HD DVD titles.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (January 21, 2008) -- Some key retailers are now expanding their Blu-ray inventories while reducing their HD DVD titles, according to Video Business.

The publication reports that Warner Bros.' endorsement this month of Blu-ray has prompted retailers to reexamine the high-def disc format war. (Five major studios now support Blu-ray exclusively compared to just two for HD DVD.)

Thanks to Warner, some executives are now predicting that consumers will demand fewer HD DVD films. Additionally, some retailers believe that a shift to Blu-ray could help end the format war.

For instance, Trans World, which operates more than 800 F.Y.E. stores, will now offer more Blu-ray titles than HD DVD.

“We are waiting to hear more about what (HD DVD) hardware manufacturers decide to do, but I think one thing we can all agree on as retailers, is that consumer confusion is leading to a delay in buying a format,” Trans World's Mark Higgins tells Video Business. “They don’t want to buy into another Betamax. As retailers, we need to simplify things for the consumers as much as we can with merchandising one format. We don’t want to be biased, but that is clearly the direction that high-def production looks to be going.”

Hastings Entertainment, another electronics chain, says stores will likely soon shift to Blu-ray.

“Based on the way the playing field is shaping up, you’ll see BD with more prominence in stores,” said Victor Fuentes, a Hastings vice president.

Despite the reports, larger retailers such as Best Buy and Circuit City have not announced a shift in inventories. And Best Buy says that both formats are still alive and well.

"It would be irresponsible to (say the war) is over when it's not yet," said Best Buy spokesman Brian Lucas said.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/retailblu012108.htm