Why the lack of Steel in the US?

[IzzyOtaku]

How come the only exclusives in the US are either retail exclusive, some rare special print just cause, a small printing edition by a studio, etc? Why do we not have our own version of Zavvi or Blurayfans? Are steels really not that popular in our here?

[Dean learner]

It's always baffled me to, could it be where the steelbook are manufactured? If it's within the EU it will mean that the distributor can pimp them around European countries tax and import duty free.

[Smigro]

I think the US (and even NA as a whole) a little behind in terms of steelbooks than the countries in EU. They are starting to gain some traction (BB WB and PAramount waves and Target Mondo collection) but I still don't think steelbooks are received as well in the states as they are over sees.

I think in part is has to do with the size of the countries in NA compared to the EU. It seems the print runs in the US are always big and don't always sell out. I wold think this has an effect on whether or not retailers pick up the option for a steelbook fearing they will be left with old stock. I think if they were a little more limited like the EU releases they would sell out more and retailer would then pick up the option.

Just look at the DCU steels with Target...they are limited and ALWAYS sell out so Target keeps going with them. BB on the other hand are like Zavvi with their big print runs or catalog titles and have issues selling out.

[MifuneFan]

Pretty sure we're getting more Steelbooks this year than any other year

[DJJez]

simple. amarays and slipovers are way easier to make and have alot more profit. there is a reason why there are so little steelbooks in america/canada.

[Member-222782]

I'm guessing the US doesn't have a premium steelbook market for the same reasons studios churn out crappy movies: film isn't taken seriously in this country by enough people. In Europe and Asia, films are considered an art form, and that is reflected in the quality of the steelbooks they produce. Best Buy (and now Target) are just riding the wave right now by testing the market but I just don't see anything worthwhile coming out of these retailers. For me, it's not enough to just make a steelbook and call it a day. No inside art, poor artwork choices, no gloss, no slips and no art cards or other peripherals - where's the fun in that? Even Mondo seems to favor Canada for the most part even though they're based out of Texas- that says everything, sadly.

[Optimus-Prime-Rox]

Originally Posted by DJJez

simple. amarays and slipovers are way easier to make and have alot more profit. there is a reason why there are so little steelbooks in america/canada.

It's just not very cost effective to have steelbooks all the time for every movie, when the average person is perfectly fine the normal amaray cases.