Wal-mart giving Blu-ray the cold shoulder?

[Zaphod]

I just went to my local Wal-Mart (and another earlier today) to check out their Blu-ray sections. As I posted as a reply in another thread, one of the local Wal-mart's had only about 3 movies in stock and the rest of the slots were empty. When I went back to the section they were in, they were all gone. Not one single one. I searched and searched for them only to stumble upon them in the clear case the overstock games went into. When I asked what was going on with their Blu-ray section, they advised they are no longer giving the HD formats (since they still were carrying a couple of HD-DVD's)high traffic shelf space and they will be carrying new releases but will not be continuously stocking catalog titles and those titles that have been out for a while. I couldn't believe it, and got the same reply from the other WM as well. Has anyone else had this happen to their WM?

[Heart_Collector]

They didn't tell me that, but I did notice my WalMarts are still giving as much space to HD as they are to Blu-Ray. The guy said they would continue to carry it. WTH?

[darkpoet25]

The Wal Mart I work for still has an HD movie section. It's mixed in with the new releases. We have about 5-6 sections for Blu and about 2-3 for Hd Dvd. I remember seeing something from one of higher ups that starting in June we will go Blu Ray exclusive, right around the same time as Warner. Not every Wal Mart is going to be the same, or carry the same products. It varies from region and area, and is dependent on the Store Managment and Regional and District Managment. Something else to keep on mind is theft. Some stores have them in the glass cases, to help keep theft down. If they don't have a certain title you are looking for you can use Site To Store. You can go online and pay for the title, then have it sent to your local Wal Mart for free. When the item(s) arrive you can pick it up there.

[Zaphod]

I don't think the Wal-Mart's where I live did it for security, since they had a section with 40-50 Blu's and now have three in the case. Plus they are wedged in between other Xbox 360 games and PS2 games (the ones no one buys). I also live outside Orlando, so I am hoping this may just be a regional thing or GM's preference. I am hoping this is not a trend among many WM's...

[mustangfun101]

It just shows that Walmart really doesn't keep up with things. They could have taken a serious lead in blu-ray sales but botched it being stubborn about HD. Our local Walmart(s) are the only stores in town with HD still on the shelf. By the way, the HD section is the same size or larger then the blu-ray section at these stores and they don't keep the blu stocked at all. Oh well, their loss.

[Mr. Cinema]

June is when they are getting rid of all HD DVD titles. I expect a new BD setup after that happens.

[Bancroft]

Originally Posted by mustangfun101

It just shows that Walmart really doesn't keep up with things. They could have taken a serious lead in blu-ray sales but botched it being stubborn about HD. Our local Walmart(s) are the only stores in town with HD still on the shelf. By the way, the HD section is the same size or larger then the blu-ray section at these stores and they don't keep the blu stocked at all. Oh well, their loss.

Unfortunately, this is really OUR loss. If there isn't mass apeal to this format, then it will die and be overtaken by inferior downloaded content. Not everyone will buy on line---most people still want to touch and feel the product. And, hopefully make that spontaneous purchase.

This is more serious than we're giving it credit for. Blue Ray must break through and be an everyday product, and do it fast, before momentum is lost and disinterest takes hold.

[syncguy]

If the DVDs make a higher return than blu-ray, why shelf space should be wasted on blu-rays unless there is some encouragement. Higher margins perhaps.

[Bobby Henderson]

New release DVDs typically carry a SRP of $29.99. Of course, the stores don't sell them at that level. The DVDs that are slashed to prices of $15, $10 or under are priced down to "loss leader" status. Basically there's no profit to be had in selling such discs alone. They're just there to get you into the store to buy something more expensive that actually does have a profit margin.

Originally Posted by Bancroft

If there isn't mass apeal to this format, then it will die and be overtaken by inferior downloaded content.

That possible outcome seems less and less likely. It's already been discussed how downloading movies for rent or to buy is too complicated for many people and too wracked with compromises in quality. $6 to rent a severely compressed 720p movie for just 24 hours? Ha ha ha!!

Things look potentially even worse for the companies who want to foster movie downloading businesses. It turns out major Internet service providers in the United States are colluding amongst each other to get a toll gate of sorts placed on how much bandwidth users consume. Downloading a 2 hour movie several GB in size would use up a lot of that bandwidth allowance.

This is just an all around bad deal for everyone since so many people are using lots of bandwidth to do so many other things on the Internet. Jacked up Internet costs could ruin the fun for many people. As bad or worse, American businesses would be put at an even worse disadvantage in terms of available Internet bandwidth for use in business compared to that of other developed nations. This would encourage even more job out-sourcing to overseas offices and factories.

[MasterXeus]

Originally Posted by darkpoet25

If they don't have a certain title you are looking for you can use Site To Store. You can go online and pay for the title, then have it sent to your local Wal Mart for free. When the item(s) arrive you can pick it up there.

Walmart.com usually has a higher price on their blu-rays than my local store. Back when I bought The Rock, Walmart.com had it at 18.94 and my local store was selling it for $14.95

[sinister184]

yeah my walmart really blows on keeping their inventory stocked.. they get a few of the major releases like Juno, and 27 dresses, but the catalog stuff is never there. My kmart has a better collction than walmart its that sad.

[NJ_RAMS_FAN]

Originally Posted by sinister184

yeah my walmart really blows on keeping their inventory stocked.. they get a few of the major releases like Juno, and 27 dresses, but the catalog stuff is never there. My kmart has a better collction than walmart its that sad.

out of all my blu's i havent bought a single one at walmart..

[thegui1]

Just gives me another reason NOT to go to wal-mart. Jesus whenever i walk into one i just feel dirty, and aren't the guys who work there treated like crap? ive heard they are a terrible company to work for and don't even give med insurance to the people who should be classified as full time. I don't think wal mart deserves my hard earned money, i can spend 2 dollars more to shop at a store where i don't have to take a shower when i get home.

[Deadset]

My Walmart has about 25-30 blu-ray movies for sale...very poor showing

[brett_day]

the response i got from my walmarts in oklahoma city is that wal mart will not be carrying many (if any at all) blu rays until it becomes more main stream. they do not want the product taking up the space that could be filled with other products that appeal to a wider audience...it's all about how much money they can make from the sellinjg space they have. Until blu ray is adopted in most homes across the states...there will be slim pickings from wally world

[owa]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

<snip>
I couldn't believe it, and got the same reply from the other WM as well. Has anyone else had this happen to their WM?

I think you saw my post in the other thread but I'll post the info here as well.

I just recently went to Walmart hoping to find Twister early and found that they only had 2 blu-rays in stock (Rush Hour 3 and 50 First Dates) and they were in some sort of corner basket thing attached to the end of the aisles. The regular blu-ray section and the middle aisle display (in front of the electronics area) were completely empty. I haven't asked an employee about it though to see why that's the case.

[sinister184]

Originally Posted by brett_day

the response i got from my walmarts in oklahoma city is that wal mart will not be carrying many (if any at all) blu rays until it becomes more main stream. they do not want the product taking up the space that could be filled with other products that appeal to a wider audience...it's all about how much money they can make from the sellinjg space they have. Until blu ray is adopted in most homes across the states...there will be slim pickings from wally world

yeah but they still have a dedicated section with shelf tags and all with no inventory. its not like their using the space for other items, its just a huge hole on the shelf. I have to resort to going to Best Buy to get twister today b/c they're the only ones that have it time to get my Amazon prime back up and say screw the B&M stores.

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by sinister184

yeah but they still have a dedicated section with shelf tags and all with no inventory. its not like their using the space for other items, its just a huge hole on the shelf. I have to resort to going to Best Buy to get twister today b/c they're the only ones that have it time to get my Amazon prime back up and say screw the B&M stores.

none of the walmarts in oklahoma i have been to have a dedicated space for blu's....none of them in oklahoma even carry blu's very frustrating!

[Ferris]

Originally Posted by melsbluespecv

out of all my blu's i havent bought a single one at walmart..

Same here. Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City and Target have the money from 100% of my Blu-ray purchases. I don't buy ANYTHING at Wal-Mart.

Originally Posted by owa

I think you saw my post in the other thread but I'll post the info here as well.

I just recently went to Walmart hoping to find Twister early and found that they only had 2 blu-rays in stock (Rush Hour 3 and 50 First Dates) and they were in some sort of corner basket thing attached to the end of the aisles. The regular blu-ray section and the middle aisle display (in front of the electronics area) were completely empty. I haven't asked an employee about it though to see why that's the case.

It's very sad, hearing things like this, regardless of the market. Wal-Mart, to most, carrier what everyone buys. They mark it down $.06 and call themselves cheapest (they're not lying, in more than one regard). Having Wal-Mart selling Blu-rays doesn't automatically make it a mass-accepted media format, but it certainly does make it easier.

[Mxr5150]

I don't buy any electronic stuff from walmart. Not to sound too 'elitist' but Walmart tends to be behind the curve of technology anyway. Look at their HDTV selection . So, it's really no wonder they don't stock much in bluray.