Wal-Mart To Back Blu-ray
By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 2/15/2008
Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart will back Blu-ray exclusively in its 4,000 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in the United States by June, the chain said in a statement on its Web site this afternoon.
The Wal-Mart announcement is the third blow to HD DVD this week, the other two being decisions by Best Buy and Netflix to back Blu-ray.
“The change will take place quickly over the next several months whereby the retailer will phase out HD DVD offerings and reorganize shelf space and by June Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Clubs will offer only Blu-ray movies and hardware machines, as well as standard definition movies and DVD players, and up converts,” the chain said in a statement.
“We’ve listened to our customers, who are showing a clear preference toward Blu-ray products and movies with their purchases,” said Gary Severson, senior VP, Home Entertainment, Wal-Mart, U.S. “With the customers’ best interest in all we do, we wanted to share our decision and timeline with them as soon as possible, knowing it will help simplify their purchase decision, increase selection and increase adoption long term. We anticipate enhancing our selection with continued great values in hi-definition Blu-ray products, so our customers can further enhance their entertainment experience at home."
Wal-Mart will continue to sell through remaining HD product, but in less than 30 days customers will see a more predominant move toward Blu-ray in stores, clubs and online, the chain said. - Steve Smith
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Wal-Mart+Sony= A One World Monopolizing Machine that will not slow down or stop until people(the customers)make a statement of dissatisfaction. Buy other brands besides Sony and maybe shop at Cosco or one of the other large retail sellers if you must shop at these types of places.
Say hello to the 3rd Reich of Retail people! With a louder voice and the correct actions, it could have been stopped so consumers had a choice.
Davis Davis - 2008-20-2 09:20:00 EST -
What a joke with the comment, “With the customers’ best interest in all we do..." . That must be why they put things like milk at the back of the store ....
When asked about making it more convenient for the customer, the manager states "thats where the coolers are", yet there is a parking lot next to the back of the store at our local Walmart which would only require one door on the side and one checkout person to get high usage items convenienantly accessable for its older customers. Seems to me THEIR interest is more important than the customers.
Thus, Blueray ONLY, must somehow be best for Walmart not the customer.
I like Blueray, but I realize that HD-DVD has also helped lower the price of Bluray players. With a Bluray monopoly does anyone think Sony will volunteer to lower prices for Blueray players OR disk? Wrong!!
Bud Smith - 2008-15-2 18:17:00 EST -
I like reading the latest breaking news about blueray
backers while on you website there is a big banner ad
for HD DVD.Walmart was one of the big firesale outlets for the $99 HD DVD players just before the holidays.This has more to do with politics than business.
Bob DeVore - 2008-15-2 14:47:00 EST
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