Blockbuster next on the chopping block

“Online retailers really are ringing the bell on high street stores.” I don’t think online retailers are fully to blame. I stopped using my local town centre many many years ago when the council decided to turn all local street parking into pay and display, thus turning the what’s was a free meaning the half mile walk into something I had to pay for. That’s what turned me into an online shopper.

Although online retailers aren’t without their own issues, play.com will stop selling their own stock in the coming months (See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-20953357) , they think their “marketplace” is a winner, well not for me. So my choice is even more limited going forward.

I’m just surprised that the play story hasn’t been covered more widely on the news.

High streets should not be regarded as ‘sacred cows’ If people wanted to keep them viable they would be shopping there and not using superstores,online and retail park facilities. In my view it’s a natural evolution and should be allowed to take it’s course.

Ian is right about evolution, though high street shops are certainly not the only victims of changing consumer preferences.

Those who did use the retail outlets are obviously hit most badly but we could all suffer. For example, it can be more difficult to persuade an online trader will respect consumer rights.

I bought my cooker after physically inspecting build quality, hinge fitting, oven size and the way the controls worked. Currys were helpful and got my business. I like to feel the cloth in trousers, examine the fit of underwear and actually see the colour of the garment I’m buying, thus clothes shops get my business. Sometimes a packet or box will reveal more than I can read about a product on line. There is no substitute for picking things up, and examining them, especially after reading internet reviews to narrow the search. Someone else’s best buy might not be mine. I like to own cd’s and not just have a file on my computer, however space saving that may be. Similarly with films that I actually want to watch more than once. So I have plenty of use for physical shops of all descriptions. Every one that goes to the wall is one less to visit when looking for the best price or specific product. On line shopping has its place too although delivery is always a pain. With the financial squeeze, it’s not surprising to find that the high street is suffering. Their overheads are so much more than their on line competitors but they do offer a valuable way of shopping. If everyone decided to shop on line it would be a disaster for the labour market and would turn shopping malls and out of town retail parks into desert wastelands. I still have to search for parking spaces, so it would seem that people are still shopping traditionally. Long may that last.

Honestly, I’m surprised Blockbuster lasted this long.

The business itself was extremely popular and profitable some 20 years ago and I remember many a visit to pick a video off the shelf to watch. The ease of use through streaming and Lovefilm’s postal service will have pretty much flattened Blockbuster in recent years.

I guess most of the problem these days with a business like that is the expensive floorspace needed and the logistics of constantly making sure your shop is fresh with new rentals. Perhaps a new owner for the troubled brand could strike a deal for an in shop service (alike DHL have with WH Smiths) so they don’t need their own staff or shop units?

a lot of the problem with the high street is councils charging vast amounts of business rates and then trying to stop people going to shop at these stores by charging for parking. I stopped using the high street many years ago because of parking charges fed up of rushing against the parking clock not having enough time to shop and maybe have a meal at a cafe/restaurant. sorry to say but it is much easier and relaxing at a shopping mall (not run by greedy councils) with free parking.
Its not all the fault of the Internet councils have played a major role the the downfall.

i am gutted for all the job losses-if no one has a job,who is going to pay for things online with no money?these jobs are gone forever,like too many,and they are not beingreplaced by other jobs.also,if you have rubbish broadband speeds,like i do in rural suffolk,it is impossible to stream a film-i have tried to stream a lovefilm film on a kindle fire hd,two ipads,directly through my samsung smart tv,through a ps3,and it doesnt work on any of them.ironically,i would have rented from blockbuster stores,but the 2 closest to me are 20-25 miles away.i do use their postal rental service,though.

Considering how well Blockbuster virtually ran the indie video stores out of business I really don’t feel bad for them at all, what goes around comes around.

when someone showed me how to download a film from the internet i was amazed how easy it was i only download for my own personal use and once watched i delete them so is the internet to blame or the video/dvd stores to blame i dont know but i used to go ti the video store at least 3 times a week which now i cant afford so what is the answer???