After a stormy year the video rental market, once predictable, still shows signs of instability and further controversy. Old rules are being replaced as new, unproven business models proliferate.Not long ago, for...
Interactive games, as part of the video mix, are gaining importance as the market matures.U.S. video game sales at retail were up 22% in 1998 to $6.3 billion, according to market research firm NPD Group, Port...
Direct-to-video releases have risen sharply in the sell-through market, as both animated and live-action titles have benefited from growing consumer acceptance of nontheatrical product.This trend is especially...
The theatrical success of several animated features from different studios marks the start of a potential video bonanza for supermarkets.Late last year, four animated films -- "Antz," "The Rugrats Movie," "A Bug's...
The proliferation of copy-depth programs for rental videos is having an unplanned side-effect: an oversupply of used tapes.What's happening to these tapes and how will they affect future business trends? Supermarket...
SEATTLE -- Supermarkets here have increased their video rental rates, according to a recent SN market survey.This follows a long period of time when rental rates were stagnant despite the steadily rising cost of tapes...
A strong sell-through lineup is taking shape for the first quarter of 1999.As studios recognize this as a prime opportunity to gain floor space at retail, they are bringing out more good titles and announcing their...
The video rental market, source of considerable controversy in 1998, still shows profit potential, according to video industry experts."The first quarter of 1999 will be much better than in 1998," said Kirk...
For supermarkets looking to maximize video sales and enlarge their base of rental customers, special-interest titles -- especially sports and fitness tapes -- may be one solution.This category is often understocked in...
With video relatively stagnant and increasingly competitive, supermarkets are looking to other entertainment software to increase sales.Foremost among these alternative segments is music, which can generate tremendous...