Blu-ray: A 2008 Holiday Hit?

[FinalEvangelion]

By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (December 2, 2008) -- Newspapers across the nation reported over the weekend that many Black Friday shoppers purchased sub $200 Blu-ray players. Some publications called the high-def disc player one of the hottest items on consumers' shopping lists.

"Flatscreen TVs, Blu-Ray players, vacuum cleaners and toys were selling fast at a Wal-Mart store at Fairfax, Va," Money/CNN reported Friday. One newspaper said a $128 Magnavox Blu-ray player was sold out by 9:30 a.m. at another Wal-Mart.

The reports have prompted some analysts to wonder if Blu-ray is finally reaching a mass audience -- thanks to those lower prices. Until recently, Blu-ray players started at $399, which has led to disappointing sales. (Less than three million people own standalone Blu-ray players.) But with retailers dropping prices under $200 for the holidays, the reports could signal a Blu-ray sales rush.

Of course, the Black Friday news reports are based on eyewitness accounts rather than actual sales numbers.

But now two new reports have emerged that could give substance to the speculation that the 2008 holiday season could be a turning point for the high-def disc.

First, the National Retail Federation reported Monday that Blu-ray players were among the top-selling items during Black Friday weekend.

And today, PriceGrabber.com said that the Blu-ray player was the third hottest item during Black Friday weekend, trailing only "women's boots" and watches. The site, which monitors online shopping prices and trends, says online sales of Blu-ray players rose 147 percent compared to last year.

In addition, Sony's BDP-S350 was the third most popular product on Black Friday, PriceGrabber.com reported, trailing only Nintendo's Wii and the Ugg Australia 'Classic Short' boot.

The 2008 holiday shopping season has just begun. But if these reports continue, this could be a Blu Christmas.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/blu120208.htm

Even though I'm currently living in Japan, I've been hearing mainly success stories of BD and Black Friday. After BF, I've noticed that the "Blu-ray is dead, DD is coming" articles have really gone into the void. It sounds like we may be into the next step for adoption.