Blu-ray consumers buying more from Amazon, Wal-Mart

[zombieflanders]

Amazon.com and Wal-Mart are increasingly winning over Blu-ray Disc customers, according to recent NPD Group surveying.

NPD surveys done last fall and in March both show Best Buy as the preferred Blu-ray shopping destination, followed by Amazon and Wal-Mart.

But NPD senior industry analyst Russ Crupnick says the latest survey reports that current respondents are showing growing affinity to Amazon and Wal-Mart, which coincides with strengthened merchandising at the retailers.

“While Best Buy is still the leader, the percent of people who are saying that Amazon.com and Wal-Mart [is their favorite Blu-ray retailer] is growing at a much faster pace than average,” said Crupnick.

Blockbuster was elevated to No. 5 in the ranking in NPD's latest survey, following Target at No. 4. Financially struggling Circuit City placed No. 4 in NPD's fall report, with Target at No. 5.

NPD did not provide specific percentage responses from survey participants.

Explaining the rise in popularity by the No. 2 retailer, Crupnick especially took note of Amazon’s aggressive marketing of Blu-ray, because the site consistently trails mass merchants in standard-definition DVD business.

“All the efforts that Amazon.com has put into the category are paying off. They are always running a lot of specials,” said Crupnick of the site’s frequent exclusive offers. “Also, their customer profile is just dead-on for Blu-ray. It has an early adopter demographic, higher income and educational level.”

NPD’s latest study matches Amazon’s own findings about its Blu-ray performance. The site commands a Blu-ray retail share that is 3.5 times that of its standard DVD share, according to Peter Faricy, VP of movies and music at Amazon.

Faricy declined to provide exact DVD and Blu-ray share information.

http://www.videobusiness.com/index.a...&desc=topstory

[ack_bak]

Yep. Amazon has by far been the leader (on deals and price), but expect Wal-mart to start challenging this. I cannot believe Best Buy is still #1, but I guess if people want to pay more they will.

Believe this though. Best Buy's days at #1 will be shortlived if they do not get prices down. Wal-mart will bury them if they get the chance.

The site commands a Blu-ray retail share that is 3.5 times that of its standard DVD share

That is impressive.

[Mr. Al]

Here is my personal rank:

Wal-Mart- Two minute drive from my place and it's open 24 hours. Never have to wait in long line ups since I work nights and go shopping there around 5 A.M.

Future Shop - If it's not at Wal-Mart I go right across the street to FS. Prices are almost comparable (25 cent's to a few dollars more or less)

Amazon.ca - Just for the convenience. Just have to wait a couple of days more.

[Skyhawk]

Originally Posted by Mr. Al

Amazon.ca - Just for the convenience. Just have to wait a couple of days more.

Why would any Canadian buy Blu-ray from Amazon.ca? To pay GST/PST plus an extra $5 to $10 more on the base price?

[DaveS1138]

I just wish my local Walmart would get anything like a decent selection in It was nice that they have started adding Blu-ray to the new release isle but the actual Blu-ray section is still very poor.

My local Best Buy whilst not as good as it could be atleast has a very large selection. So if I do need my instant gratification fix of not waiting for Amazon its still my best choice for picking up a movie.

(another odd thing is that the advertised price is rarely ever the price at the register at my Best Buy, usually $3-4 cheaper. Not sure if this is the norm with Best Buy or not.)

[C.S.Strowbridge]

Originally Posted by Skyhawk

Why would any Canadian buy Blu-ray from Amazon.ca? To pay GST/PST plus an extra $5 to $10 more on the base price?

I know. Amazon.com is so much cheaper, for the most part. (Canadian imports are obviously cheaper from Amazon.ca.)

[vinnie97]

As long as Wal-Mart keeps everything locked up behind a case or security device, I will be more inclined to hit up Fry's 15 minutes away or purchase online. Inconvenient as hell and I don't want to waste time tracking down an associate who may or may not be available to help in a timely manner. I suppose I should encourage the suburban thugs here to cut out that shoplifting misbehavior.

[eric89074]

I can't wait until wal mart decides to break up the blu ray gouging party.

[John32]

Originally Posted by vinnie97

As long as Wal-Mart keeps everything locked up behind a case or security device, I will be more inclined to hit up Fry's 15 minutes away or purchase online. Inconvenient as hell and I don't want to waste time tracking down an associate who may or may not be available to help in a timely manner. I suppose I should encourage the suburban thugs here to cut out that shoplifting misbehavior.

I agree the locked up thing is annoying but, not all local wal marts have that. Yea, thugs suck lol. Wal Mart is reasonable and def eats into Best Buy's profits. I like getting stuff on Amazon too but, I like Wal Mart too for the immediacy of getting something though

[CaptainCanuck]

My local walmart sooperstore has 0 blu rays

[SGRSBSKIER]

Originally Posted by vinnie97

As long as Wal-Mart keeps everything locked up behind a case or security device, I will be more inclined to hit up Fry's 15 minutes away or purchase online. Inconvenient as hell and I don't want to waste time tracking down an associate who may or may not be available to help in a timely manner. I suppose I should encourage the suburban thugs here to cut out that shoplifting misbehavior.

There are three sections at my Walmart about 150 titles, one of the three has the glass case, the movies behind it are not new release or the most expensive or most popular there is no reason for them to have except it was there when there was only one section, I asked why and they have no clue why it hasn't been changed out.

If someone knows Amazon's DVD share we can find out their BD share now.

[vinnie97]

Locally, there are 2 Blu-ray sections with roughly 150 titles, with the newest releases behind the locked glass case and the catalogs locked in security devices. For approximately the first month of the display, the catalogs were not locked in security devices but this was added later as a response to, I assume, growing theft problems. Like I said, I'll stick to Fry's, online bargains and Best Buy sales unless I am overcome with an impulse. :P

[maley]

Amazon >

The only time I've ever bought a Blu-ray in stores (Target, where I work) was when I bought my PS3 and I got Casino Royale and when I bought Batman Begins because I didn't want to wait >_>