Target expands Blu-ray space for hardware, software

Bravestime · 10-15-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Target expands Blu-ray space for hardware, software
Move a response to customer demand

OCT. 15 | Target has significantly stepped up its Blu-ray Disc software and hardware merchandising, as it responds to rising customer demand for the format.

Starting in July, the chain reconfigured its home entertainment sections, granting Blu-ray titles 18 feet of in-rack display space. For two Los Angeles-area stores, that amounts to room for 150 title facings, marking a 67% jump from these same outlets’ disc slots in May.

Additionally, Target is now selling three Blu-ray set-tops in stores, including the October bow of the Olevia BD-110. Aggressively priced between $229 and $250 at several Target stores, the Profile 1.1 player is not Web-enabled but handles picture-in-picture interactivity. It is being offered at Target exclusively.

The Olevia should be competitive with Best Buy’s exclusive Insignia picture-in-picture player, currently being sold at $229. Additionally, the Olevia sets a new low-price record for a Blu-ray player launch. It dips below the Memorex’s $269 MVBD2510, which last held that honor when it rolled out to retail in September.

Target also is selling Philips and Sony set-tops, plus the PlayStation 3.

When the chain introduced Blu-ray set-tops in October, it was only selling Sony’s BDP-S300 in stores. That model has since been replaced with Sony’s $299 BD Live-ready BDP-S350.

“Our goal is to create a fun, intuitive shopping environment where our guests will find all of there wants and needs under one roof,” Target spokesman Joshua Thomas said. “Our guests are becoming increasingly interested in high-definition, and we are committed to providing them with a great assortment of the industry’s best solutions.”

Some Target stores also have installed a second Blu-ray demonstration area within stores. Along with the previously placed Sony Blu-ray player demo within Target’s DVD hardware section, there is now a demo within its software disc aisles.

Link: http://www.videobusiness.com/article...?desc=topstory

The_Omega_Man · 10-15-2008, 05:40 PM

WOW! So my local Target can move from the single isolated end cap of overpriced BDs to TWO WHOLE isolated End Caps of highly overpriced BDs!

scsa · 10-15-2008, 06:03 PM

and yet you are in the minority Omega since a lot of people still buy tons of Blu-ray discs and don't mind the price since they are buying them.

The_Omega_Man · 10-15-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scsa

and yet you are in the minority Omega since a lot of people still buy tons of Blu-ray discs and don't mind the price since they are buying them.

Show me someone here, besides yourself, that really doesn't mind the retail prices of BDs from Target?

**bruceames** · 10-15-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Omega_Man

Show me someone here, besides yourself, that really doesn't mind the retail prices of BDs from Target?

I agree that unless Target also offers a more competitive price structure for their BDs, then all that extra shelf space will be mainly for show. They should follow Walmart's lead and discount as they do, because otherwise people will go to Walmart instead and buy not only the BDs but the other things they need, too. I don't think Target really wants that.

Bravestime · 10-15-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

I agree that unless Target also offers a more competitive price structure for their BDs, then all that extra shelf space will be mainly for show. They should follow Walmart's lead and discount as they do, because otherwise people will go to Walmart instead and buy not only the BDs but the other things they need, too. I don't think Target really wants that.

I agree, they should at least maintain similiar prices with Walmart. I still would like to see all Blu-ray movies priced within $4 of the DVD counterpart. Some Bu-rays being priced $8-10 higher than the DVD is sending a bad message to the consumers.

With that said, Target is making a right move towards consumer awarenss of Blu-Ray. Reducing their Olevia BD player to $229 is also good. Hopefully in the near future, prices of the movies will follow.

ClashFan · 10-15-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravestime

Link: http://www.videobusiness.com/article...?desc=topstory

I always get a kick out of press releases that cite "customer demand." Oh really, just how many customers are DEMANDING this?

The_Omega_Man · 10-15-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravestime

I agree, they should at least maintain similiar prices with Walmart. I still would like to see all Blu-ray movies priced within $4 of the DVD counterpart. Some Bu-rays being priced $8-10 higher than the DVD is sending a bad message to the consumers.

With that said, Target is making a right move towards consumer awarenss of Blu-Ray. Reducing their Olevia BD player to $229 is also good. Hopefully in the near future, prices of the movies will follow.

One can only hope!

ClashFan · 10-15-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Omega_Man

Show me someone here, besides yourself, that really doesn't mind the retail prices of BDs from Target?

I'm with you. I don't like their prices.

**bruceames** · 10-15-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravestime

I agree, they should at least maintain similiar prices with Walmart. I still would like to see all Blu-ray movies priced within $4 of the DVD counterpart. Some Bu-rays being priced $8-10 higher than the DVD is sending a bad message to the consumers.

With that said, Target is making a right move towards consumer awarenss of Blu-Ray. Reducing their Olevia BD player to $229 is also good. Hopefully in the near future, prices of the movies will follow.

I'm not referring to the price difference between DVD and BD (it's expected that the BD would cost $5-$10 more), but rather the price difference of the same BD between Target and Walmart. The problem is the discounting, Target was charging $20 for $30 MSRP catalogs a while ago and they raised the price to $25 (the same as what BB charges, but BB can get away with it because they offered unparalleled selection). Meanwhile the new releases went from $30 to $35. Not good.

Bravestime · 10-15-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

I'm not referring to the price difference between DVD and BD (it's expected that the BD would cost $5-$10 more), but rather the price difference of the same BD between Target and Walmart. The problem is the discounting, Target was charging $20 for $30 MSRP catalogs a while ago and they raised the price to $25 (the same as what BB charges, but BB can get away with it because they offered unparalleled selection). Meanwhile the new releases went from $30 to $35. Not good.

I was also referring to Targets price being higher than Walmart, and agreeing with you. I just took it one step further by saying Walmart and Target (and really all B&Ms) pricing the BD version $8-10 higher than the DVD version. I know most people will expect to pay a higher price for BD, but IMO should only be around $4. The consumers are seeing a big difference between some DVD and Blu-Ray and can not justify $8-10 increase, IMO. I think this is holding back adoption, especially during the economic situation.

**bruceames** · 10-15-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravestime

I was also referring to Targets price being higher than Walmart, and agreeing with you. I just took it one step further by saying Walmart and Target (and really all B&Ms) pricing the BD version $8-10 higher than the DVD version. I know most people will expect to pay a higher price for BD, but IMO should only be around $4. The consumers are seeing a big difference between some DVD and Blu-Ray and can not justify $8-10 increase, IMO. I think this is holding back adoption, especially during the economic situation.

It's true that popular day and date DVDs are discounted more heavily, but that's a stature DVD has earned and one BD has yet to attain. 50% discounts off MSRP are done with high profile DVDs to get people in the store and the lost profit is made up for when those consumers buy other things. It's a discount targeted to the mainstream and it's been done for many years now so I think the marketing and pricing people know what they're doing by now.

Once BD gets enough traction and gets close enough to mainstream adoption, then the BD day and date will get the same respect, pricing-wise, that the high profile DVD counterpart now enjoys. I think by Xmas 2009 perhaps but who knows?

ack_bak · 10-15-2008, 07:44 PM

Target's prices on movies are too high unless there is a sale. I wish they would price them the same as their online prices (which is Amazon)

**bruceames** · 10-15-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack_bak

Target's prices on movies are too high unless there is a sale. I wish they would price them the same as their online prices (which is Amazon)

I noticed a couple of years ago that Target started becoming less competitive on their DVD pricing in relation to other B&Ms. They started stocking HD DVD and Blu-ray right before this pricing shift and when it happened they also raised the prices on HDM. One would hope that this shelf space allocation increase will be accompanied by lower prices as well, but if not it means that the DVDs they stock aren't selling well either (or are priced too low to make much profit on, relative to the shelf space they occupy).

scsa · 10-15-2008, 09:18 PM

I said the prices on BD period not just at Target I think the prices are reasonable for new releases I mean its 20 dollars or 25 for a dvd of the new releases and 30 dollars for a BD so for 5-10 you get a much better quality picture then DVD and more features than DVD. This was to Omega not you Bruce. Incase you think I was yelling at you or anything.

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10-15-2008, 05:40 PM	#2
The_Omega_Man Don't touch the remote! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Encino,CA Posts: 3,472	WOW! So my local Target can move from the single isolated end cap of overpriced BDs to TWO WHOLE isolated End Caps of highly overpriced BDs!

10-15-2008, 06:03 PM	#3
scsa High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,146	and yet you are in the minority Omega since a lot of people still buy tons of Blu-ray discs and don't mind the price since they are buying them.

10-15-2008, 07:44 PM	#13
ack_bak Hidef Junkie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,432	Target's prices on movies are too high unless there is a sale. I wish they would price them the same as their online prices (which is Amazon)

10-15-2008, 09:18 PM	#15
scsa High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,146	I said the prices on BD period not just at Target I think the prices are reasonable for new releases I mean its 20 dollars or 25 for a dvd of the new releases and 30 dollars for a BD so for 5-10 you get a much better quality picture then DVD and more features than DVD. This was to Omega not you Bruce. Incase you think I was yelling at you or anything.