Andre Yoskowitz
16 Sep 2007 17:42
Target, the US' second largest retail chain has quietly decided to double its shelf space for Blu-ray disc movies while declining to add space for rival HD DVD titles.
According to Video Business, the change began several weeks ago. The HD DVD sections have remained the same while Blu-ray areas have doubled in size.
Although Target has not chosen a side in the HD format war, it signed an agreement in July with Sony to have its Blu-ray standalone, the BDP-S300, in prominent aisle space for the holiday season.
Blu-ray Disc Association chairman Andy Parsons had this to say although Target had no comment. "You’re going to get a clear message when you see more Blu-ray than HD DVD, and you’re going to think something is up," said Parsons. "The message to the consumer is that one of these [formats] is dominating. You’ll go with the masses and pick titles from the one that is likely to win."
HD DVD supporter Paramount however, played down the whole situation, attributing it to Blu-ray's current lead in sales.
"For a retailer to make a decision on shelving, it’s a very flexible decision," said Alan Bell, CTO at Paramount Pictures. "Retail might be shifting inventory around, but at some point, there could be diminishing returns."
Source:
HD Digest