ENCINO, Calif. -- The Video Software Dealers Association formed a new "Grocers Council" this month as a standing committee consisting of supermarkets in the video business, said Mark Fisher, vice president, membership and strategic initiatives.
"It was developed to establish a forum for grocers in the video business to convene and define and discuss those issues that may be of unique concern to this specific category of our membership," Fisher, a former Stop & Shop executive, told SN.
An initial meeting for the group by conference call is expected by the end of February, he said, and it will be conducted with "total anti-trust cover."
"Grocers represent a significant piece of our business. Their views and concerns are important as VSDA tackles the most critical and tactical industry issues," he said. The group was appointed by VSDA Chairman Bob Geistman, who is also a senior vice president at video distributor Ingram Entertainment, LaVergne, Tenn.
Initial members of this committee are Chuck Porter, director, Iggle entertainment and video, Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh; Denis Oldani, director of video, Schnuck Markets, St. Louis; Brad Ufer, video merchandiser, Coborn's, St. Cloud, Minn.; and Randall Tipton, director of video operations, K-VA-T Food Stores, Abingdon, Va.
No agenda has been set for the group, which will determine its own course and whether or not it wants to appoint a chairman, Fisher said. "We are providing the platform. We are providing the opportunity with total anti-trust cover for the video experts in the supermarket chains to get together and discuss those issues, determine what agenda they think needs to be covered, and give feedback, advice and counsel to the VSDA board and VSDA staff," he said.
"I'd like to initiate discussion on topics like piracy and high-definition, but I wouldn't be surprised to see issues like source tagging, or other theft protection issues be raised," he said.
It was intended to start as a small group, but more members will be sought in the future, particularly those representing chains that are only in the sell-through side of the video business, or those who are now getting involved with video through vending machines, Fisher said. However, all participants must be members of VSDA, he added.
"It's simply a matter of having an interest in the video business, and sufficient reason to build a unique agenda. If the agenda isn't unique, there's really no long-term reason to have a Grocers Council," Fisher said.
