Wal-Mart catches up to Best Buy in blu sales - Blu-ray Forum

Batman1980 · 12-19-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Wal-Mart Blu-ray Catches up with Best Buy
Posted December 19, 2009 05:24 AM by Juan Calonge

According to the NPD Group, Wal-Mart has now caught up with Best Buy in Blu-ray Disc software market share, thanks to its aggressive merchandising of the format during the fourth quarter of the year. Best Buy is losing the dominant position it has been holding for all the existence of high-definition optical media.

Wal-Mart has been continuously expanding its Blu-ray market share. In October 2007, it was third, behind Best Buy and Amazon. By May 2009, Wal-Mart had overtaken Amazon, but was still far behind Best Buy, with a BD market share of 20% to 30% for Wal-Mart and 40% to 50% for BB.

Now, NPD estimates that, in September through November 2009, the market share for Wal-mart and Best Buy was about even, at 30% each.

During that time frame, the market position of Amazon and Target didn't change: Amazon is third with 15% BD market share, and Target is fourth, with 10%.

NPD attributes Wal-mart's surge to the chain's unique ability to target women and other new-to-Blu-ray mainstream consumers, and also to Wal-Mart aggressive software pricing, which started a software price war this holiday season. Wal-Mart also beat other retailers in the hardware arena when it offered a $78 Blu-ray player on Black Friday.

“We're seeing it as more of a horse race with Blu-ray,” said Russ Crupnick, senior entertainment industry analyst for NPD. “I think Walmart has made a strong effort over the past year, being aggressive with price. They are very specifically targeting an untapped market. They are saying this isn't just a high-tech product. It's something that women and families can enjoy.”

Source: Video Business | Permalink
Am I the only one stunned by this?

Hammie · 12-19-2009, 02:16 PM

Considering the poor a$$ selection that my Wal-Mart has, I am completely stunned. Even the prices are no longer better. They recently had Inglorious Ba$tards for $29.99 while Best Buy had it for $22.99. CRAZY!!!!

progers13 · 12-19-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Considering the poor a$$ selection that my Wal-Mart has, I am completely stunned. Even the prices are no longer better. They recently had Inglorious Ba$tards for $29.99 while Best Buy had it for $22.99. CRAZY!!!!

+1. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Bishop_99 · 12-19-2009, 02:57 PM

This has to be that Wal-mart has huge sales online since they have a large and sometimes cheaply priced Blu-ray movie selection. I'm sure their Blu-ray sales can't really be driven by the store because they truly have a terrible selection of Blu-ray movies. I always have better luck going to my local FYE than I do at Wal-mart.

Rob J in WNY · 12-19-2009, 03:03 PM

"Stunned" is a good word. Walmart's declination of in-store selection in the latter half of 2009 was quite the letdown, but the sheer number of Walmart stores (as opposed to Best Buy stores) all around the US and, of course, online sales, have to be the driving force behind the numbers.

Is there any further substantiation to rumors that Walmart may begin increasing title selection again, say, around the spring of 2010? If Walmart is happy with the current numbers, there may or may not be motivation to do so.

un4gvn94538 · 12-19-2009, 03:20 PM

its probably due to the $10 discs they sell. they dont have to sell any 25 or $30 discs as long as a ton of people buy the $10 ones. when i go i take a look. and the only ones that seemed like were touched are the cheapest ones.

Steve · 12-19-2009, 03:31 PM

No Wal-Mart near me has a selection worth looking at, but BB has a huge selection of blus to pick from. I think you have a point though, about the $10 movies at Wal-mart.

ScarredLungs · 12-19-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

Am I the only one stunned by this?

Nope, I am not sure how this is possible, unless it counts online sales. BB almost always seems to have better prices and they have a far superior selection compared to Wal-Mart.

sinister184 · 12-19-2009, 03:54 PM

DetroitSportsFan · 12-19-2009, 06:03 PM

Either it's BS, or the online store is doing monster business. I've been to 4 different Wal-Marts over the past few weeks and the Blu selections have been pathetic.

Also, I thought Wal-Mart didn't report their sales data, and the weekly sales rankings don't include Wal-Mart?

steve1971 · 12-19-2009, 06:31 PM

I will stick with BB thank you. The Walmarts in my area have a very poor selection of Blu rays where as BB has a huge selection. Like I said I will stick with BB.

KingBing · 12-19-2009, 07:01 PM

I am very stunned by this. My two local wal-marts have s**t for selections. Best Buy blows it out of the water in that department and as far as price its not that big of a gap IMO

SteelPen · 12-19-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bishop_99

This has to be that Wal-mart has huge sales online since they have a large and sometimes cheaply priced Blu-ray movie selection. I'm sure their Blu-ray sales can't really be driven by the store because they truly have a terrible selection of Blu-ray movies. better luck

Took the words right out of my mouth!

KingLeonidas300 · 12-21-2009, 11:51 AM

Put me down for having Wal-marts near me (2 Supercenters) that have horrible selections. I try to find it online cheap before having to go to Wal-mart or Best Buy.

Lawrence1103 · 12-23-2009, 01:38 AM

BS Walmart has such a poor selection and small as well, i'll stick to Best Buy. i would buy from Amazon but i want my blu rays ASAP not 3-7 days later

crimsonblack · 12-27-2009, 07:14 PM

Walmarts selecion is small. But I would look there first before being price whipped by Best Buy, Target or Frys.

boredomHD · 12-27-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimsonblack

Walmarts selecion is small. But I would look there first before being price whipped by Best Buy, Target or Frys.

Exactly.

Walmart's selection isn't all that horrible though. They usually have all the new releases, but don't go in there trying to find an uncommon Blu-ray Disc like Boogie Nights. Walmart is not a sole movie/entertainment retailer, but a supercenter. The prices aren't that bad either. Inglourious Basterds was $29.99 at my Walmart too, but then it rang up as $19.99. That's cheaper than Best Buy. On at least five occasions in my Blu-Ray buying experience at Walmart the discs have rang up for less money than what the sticker showed. I'm not surprised by this statistic at all, considering I buy the majority of my movies there, all of which have been cheaper than what my local Best Buy sells them for.

brps3 · 12-27-2009, 11:40 PM

Im a little surprised too. I prefer BB, but if Wal-Mart has it and for a little cheaper. I'll go there.

SteelPen · 12-27-2009, 11:44 PM

I prefer to buy from WalMart because I can use my 10% discount there! (I work at a WM grocery DC) But, most of the times I can't find what I'm looking for at WalMart, so I just print out the BD price from WM.com and go PM at Best Buy!

phatrat1982 · 12-29-2009, 11:33 AM

I don't know why it surprises anyone, Wal-Mart has ten times as many stores as best buy and attracts a different type of customer. Most people pop in to Wal-mart to buy clothes or groceries and while the parents do the shopping the kids look at toys and movies and game. It is not uncommon for a family to walk out of Wal-mart with 2 or more movies each visit, and if Blu Ray is catching on than that is what people are buying. I know we never walk out of Wal-Mart without buying at least 1 movie. True I make special trips to BB to get what I can't find at Wal-Mart but usually since I am at Wally anyways I grab what they have. Also they price match BB so discrepancies are a non-issue.

12-27-2009, 11:40 PM	#18
brps3 Expert Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:kansas city, MO	re Im a little surprised too. I prefer BB, but if Wal-Mart has it and for a little cheaper. I'll go there.

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12-19-2009, 02:16 PM	#2
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	Considering the poor a$$ selection that my Wal-Mart has, I am completely stunned. Even the prices are no longer better. They recently had Inglorious Ba$tards for $29.99 while Best Buy had it for $22.99. CRAZY!!!!

12-19-2009, 02:57 PM	#4
Bishop_99 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Hialeah, Fl 4K collection:248 Blu-ray collection:580 DVD collection:28 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:18	This has to be that Wal-mart has huge sales online since they have a large and sometimes cheaply priced Blu-ray movie selection. I'm sure their Blu-ray sales can't really be driven by the store because they truly have a terrible selection of Blu-ray movies. I always have better luck going to my local FYE than I do at Wal-mart.

12-19-2009, 03:03 PM	#5
Rob J in WNY Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2008 Location:'Western' N.Y. State (MEMBER OF THE "ECPP")™ Home Theater Gallery:24 4K collection:30 Blu-ray collection:486 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 15	"Stunned" is a good word. Walmart's declination of in-store selection in the latter half of 2009 was quite the letdown, but the sheer number of Walmart stores (as opposed to Best Buy stores) all around the US and, of course, online sales, have to be the driving force behind the numbers. Is there any further substantiation to rumors that Walmart may begin increasing title selection again, say, around the spring of 2010? If Walmart is happy with the current numbers, there may or may not be motivation to do so.

12-19-2009, 03:20 PM	#6
un4gvn94538 Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Limbo (Bakersfield, Ca.) 4K collection:143 Blu-ray collection:811 DVD collection:54 Digital collection:1494 Trading Score:277	its probably due to the $10 discs they sell. they dont have to sell any 25 or $30 discs as long as a ton of people buy the $10 ones. when i go i take a look. and the only ones that seemed like were touched are the cheapest ones.

12-19-2009, 03:31 PM	#7
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	No Wal-Mart near me has a selection worth looking at, but BB has a huge selection of blus to pick from. I think you have a point though, about the $10 movies at Wal-mart.

12-19-2009, 03:54 PM	#9
sinister184 Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:FL, USA Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:52 Blu-ray collection:593 Blu-ray reviews:7 Trading Score:17

12-19-2009, 06:03 PM	#10
DetroitSportsFan Hot Deals Moderator Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Michigan 4K collection:439 Blu-ray collection:2226 Trading Score:93	Either it's BS, or the online store is doing monster business. I've been to 4 different Wal-Marts over the past few weeks and the Blu selections have been pathetic. Also, I thought Wal-Mart didn't report their sales data, and the weekly sales rankings don't include Wal-Mart?

12-19-2009, 06:31 PM	#11
steve1971 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Saint Paul Minnesota. 4K collection:15 Blu-ray collection:352 Blu-ray reviews: 119 Trading Score:1	I will stick with BB thank you. The Walmarts in my area have a very poor selection of Blu rays where as BB has a huge selection. Like I said I will stick with BB.

12-19-2009, 07:01 PM	#12
KingBing Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Boston, MA PSN: KingBing Blu-ray collection:224 Blu-ray reviews:20	I am very stunned by this. My two local wal-marts have s**t for selections. Best Buy blows it out of the water in that department and as far as price its not that big of a gap IMO

12-21-2009, 11:51 AM	#14
KingLeonidas300 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Arizona Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:654 Blu-ray reviews: 64 Trading Score:40	Put me down for having Wal-marts near me (2 Supercenters) that have horrible selections. I try to find it online cheap before having to go to Wal-mart or Best Buy.

12-23-2009, 01:38 AM	#15
Lawrence1103 Junior Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Los Angeles Blu-ray collection:75	BS Walmart has such a poor selection and small as well, i'll stick to Best Buy. i would buy from Amazon but i want my blu rays ASAP not 3-7 days later

12-27-2009, 07:14 PM	#16
crimsonblack Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Las Vegas Blu-ray collection:131 DVD collection:1089 Blu-ray reviews:37	Walmarts selecion is small. But I would look there first before being price whipped by Best Buy, Target or Frys.

12-27-2009, 11:44 PM	#19
SteelPen Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Bartow, FL 4K collection:162 Blu-ray collection:417 Trading Score:139	I prefer to buy from WalMart because I can use my 10% discount there! (I work at a WM grocery DC) But, most of the times I can't find what I'm looking for at WalMart, so I just print out the BD price from WM.com and go PM at Best Buy!

12-29-2009, 11:33 AM	#20
phatrat1982 Banned Member since:Jul 2009 Location:I move around too much to keep this accurate Blu-ray reviews:1	I don't know why it surprises anyone, Wal-Mart has ten times as many stores as best buy and attracts a different type of customer. Most people pop in to Wal-mart to buy clothes or groceries and while the parents do the shopping the kids look at toys and movies and game. It is not uncommon for a family to walk out of Wal-mart with 2 or more movies each visit, and if Blu Ray is catching on than that is what people are buying. I know we never walk out of Wal-Mart without buying at least 1 movie. True I make special trips to BB to get what I can't find at Wal-Mart but usually since I am at Wally anyways I grab what they have. Also they price match BB so discrepancies are a non-issue.

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