Business Wars did a series on Netflix and Blockbuster at its launch: https://wondery.com/shows/business-wars/
Both entertaining and enlightening.
A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
81–90 of 105 posts
Re: A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
#82Earlier quoted context omitted.
Even those traditional closed in malls are being upended by pedestrian friendly upscale mixed uses communities with stores and townhomes. The local Apple Store just moved from the local mall to one of those communities. It also has the standard cliched collection of yuppie stores - a Tesla showroom, Whole Foods, Gap, Bonobos, Container Store, Pottery Barn, a Pilates Studio, etc....
Yes, it's also about separating upper class from middle/lower. Indoor malls became the norm, so a shiny new outdoor one can signal itself as something more upscale and different. The outdoor lighting also probably helps instagram pics when having mimosas and/or dinner at sunset.
But what confuses me, is that when my wife and I go there on the weekend, the retail stores don’t have much foot traffic. The restaurants, Whole Foods, and the movie theatre do though. Its the same when I go during the week for lunch occasionally.
Re: A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
#83Blockbuster used to have a really crappy selection of mostly mainstream movies, but often it was one of the closest video rental stores around, as they seemed to be everywhere. They also censored and cut their movies, which was really annoying. I don't know what their agenda was on that front, and why they couldn't just let mature adults watch the full films. My friends and I used to much prefer going to independent…
> Most people these days don't seem to know that Netflix even has a DVD service
A few years ago, Netflix was going to spin off the DVD Service as a separate company. I can't remember the name of it but it was kind of goofy I thought. For some reason they decided to pull back on that and they are still running it as a division within Netflix. However I have to imagine it doesn't make a lot of money compared to streaming. Buying and handling physical media, dealing with damaged media, losses on non-returns, etc. has got to be something that doesn't scale well.
Re: A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
#84Blockbuster used to have a really crappy selection of mostly mainstream movies, but often it was one of the closest video rental stores around, as they seemed to be everywhere. They also censored and cut their movies, which was really annoying. I don't know what their agenda was on that front, and why they couldn't just let mature adults watch the full films. My friends and I used to much prefer going to independent…
I used to wander the isles at blockbuster and wonder why with all that space ... there were so few movies. And like you said hit and independent place and you could do some discovery. Netflix with DVDs in the early days with user reviews (that were seriously well written) was so great for discovery. Now.... nope, discovery gone.
About half the space at Blockbuster was taken up by multiple copies of the same top five current hit movies. There really wasn't a lot of room for more obscure stuff. Especially since they shelved everything so you could see the face of the package. So you have a lot less space for stock on a shelf that way
Re: A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
#85I don't think that social influence critical masses were really a factor here. Blockbuster was brick and mortar, and 'on demand from home at $10 a month' is going to kill that business on the basic fundamentals. There's no special science here. Blockbuster executives were fools - not so much to 'not see it coming' (few did) - but to not react when the writing was on the wall. Video streaming might be hard but it's no…
> Blockbuster was brick and mortar, and 'on demand from home at $10 a month' is going to kill that business on the basic fundamentals.
That doesn't explain why Redbox managed to thrive though.
Re: A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
#86Blockbuster used to have a really crappy selection of mostly mainstream movies, but often it was one of the closest video rental stores around, as they seemed to be everywhere. They also censored and cut their movies, which was really annoying. I don't know what their agenda was on that front, and why they couldn't just let mature adults watch the full films. My friends and I used to much prefer going to independent…
> Most people these days don't seem to know that Netflix even has a DVD service A few years ago, Netflix was going to spin off the DVD Service as a separate company. I can't remember the name of it but it was kind of goofy I thought. For some reason they decided to pull back on that and they are still running it as a division within Netflix. However I have to imagine it doesn't make a lot of money compared to streami…
I believe its called dvd.com (A netflix company) now, even though the domain name is dvd.netflix.com
Re: A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
#87I don't think that social influence critical masses were really a factor here. Blockbuster was brick and mortar, and 'on demand from home at $10 a month' is going to kill that business on the basic fundamentals. There's no special science here. Blockbuster executives were fools - not so much to 'not see it coming' (few did) - but to not react when the writing was on the wall. Video streaming might be hard but it's no…
> Blockbuster was brick and mortar, and 'on demand from home at $10 a month' is going to kill that business on the basic fundamentals. That doesn't explain why Redbox managed to thrive though.
Sure it does. While Redbox is a physical presence, its overhead is negligible. And for those whom $10/mo isn't an option because, no $150/mo internet to base it on (not everybody can afford expensive internet connections) Redbox is an option.
Re: A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
#88Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, it's also about separating upper class from middle/lower. Indoor malls became the norm, so a shiny new outdoor one can signal itself as something more upscale and different. The outdoor lighting also probably helps instagram pics when having mimosas and/or dinner at sunset.
But what confuses me, is that when my wife and I go there on the weekend, the retail stores don’t have much foot traffic. The restaurants, Whole Foods, and the movie theatre do though. Its the same when I go during the week for lunch occasionally.
I've seen that too. Maybe the brands recognize them as cost centers they have to maintain to keep up the successful brand image and as customer service location for returns and whatnot?
Re: A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
#89Blockbuster used to have a really crappy selection of mostly mainstream movies, but often it was one of the closest video rental stores around, as they seemed to be everywhere. They also censored and cut their movies, which was really annoying. I don't know what their agenda was on that front, and why they couldn't just let mature adults watch the full films. My friends and I used to much prefer going to independent…
Blockbuster had a DVD by mail subscription service similar to Netflix also, probably to compete with Netflix. I used it on my first deployment in the Middle East because at that time Netflix wouldn't ship to an APO AE address.
Re: A Look Back at Why Blockbuster Really Failed and Why It Didn't Have To (2014)
#90Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's very uneven. Upscale malls are generally doing pretty well. Then there's the nearest mall near me which sports such luminaries as Sears and JC Penneys as anchor stores (plus the Toys R US which recently closed). It's not... great. There are a few stores in the same general complex that seem to be doing fine but the mall itself is moribund.
I have to go to the mall here in Melbourne, FL for work clothes. The standalone clothing stores mostly sell stuff targeted at tourists and snowbirds (beachwear, Hawaiian shirts, etc.). Bah, maybe I should get a job that lets me wear Hawaiian shirts to work everyday.
For sure you can do that in Hawaii. It’s actually quite awesome.