Woolworths may not be the first name you think of when it comes to buying movies, but they do tend to stock a fairly decent range of CDs and DVDs, and have also started selling high definition discs.
So, it's not inconsequential that they've decided to stop stocking HD DVDs in store, in favour of creating more shelf space for Blu-ray, from March. HD DVDs will still be available to buy online, though, so it's not a complete snub of the format.
The company claims that the decision was based on analysis of their Christmas 2007 sales figures, showing that Blu-ray outsold HD DVD by ten to one, though Warner's pre-CES decision to drop HD DVD may well have had some bearing also.
The reason for their customers overwhelmingly choosing Blu-ray is down to Sony's PS3, according to Steven McGunigel, DVD buyer at Woolworths, speaking to The Retail Bulletin.
"Because [the PS3] plays Blu-Ray discs, there are over 750,000 homes in the UK that can view the new high-definition format. There is nowhere near that number of HD-DVD players around," he said. "Switching to Blu-ray only will provide one clear offer to customers in the format they want to watch high definition movies in."
All of Woolworths' 820 UK stores will feature a Blu-ray chart, and back catalogue of titles.
A spokesperson for Toshiba, Olivier Van Wynendaele, the European assistant general manager of their Consumer Products Division, said that, while they were disappointed with the retailer's decision, "it is extremely early to spot which format will eventually win. We’re confident that HD DVD’s affordability, fantastic choice of movies, great consumer experience and upcoming promotions will help it continue to strengthen its share of the market."
(Via Register Hardware)
The on-line sales may be just to clear existing stock they have of HD-DVD's wather than supply new releases.
Why won't Toshiba lay down and die for the good of the rest of the HD world. They are trying to muddy the waters. They can not be naive enough to think they have a comeback position from where they are can they?