Woolworths demoting HD DVD players to online sales only
According to new reports, Woolworths is following the wave and will be banishing HD DVD players from its stores starting in March. Reportedly, the move was substantiated by the fact that Blu-ray Discs outsold HD DVD titles "ten-to-one" in Woolies stores over the Christmas holidays, and in just a few weeks, consumers scouting a new HD DVD player from this particular retailer will have to place their order online. Interestingly, we're not told whether or not the firm plans on phasing out actual HD DVD movies as well, but we suppose we don't have long before finding out.[Via GamesIndustry, image courtesy of Stives-Town]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 28th 2008 11:54AM
Woolworths is still around?
HD Tom @ Jan 28th 2008 12:03PM
You beat me to it!
Mr Stevo @ Jan 28th 2008 12:05PM
I asked myself the same question. Last time I saw a Woolworth's store must've been 1992. Then I heard they closed down a whole bunch of stores. I was under the impression they had followed the "Montgomery Wards" route. Wait, don't tell me "Montgomery Wards" is still around too and decided to drop HD-DVD support as well.
ryan10ad @ Jan 28th 2008 12:28PM
Woolworth's is like Palm, a slow painful death
DrXym @ Jan 28th 2008 1:06PM
There are plenty in the UK.
Leroy Vargas @ Jan 28th 2008 3:20PM
I also thought the same. Last time I heard of Woolworth, it was plain 1992. I also miss New York Dept Store, it was gone from my old dwelling area's mall in 1993, when Marshals came to replace it there.
John Drinkwater @ Jan 28th 2008 5:48PM
Woolworths in the UK is a separate company, and its still going though not quite as well recently from very poor decisions.
su6oxone @ Jan 28th 2008 11:55AM
HD DVD is still around?
Jove @ Jan 28th 2008 4:07PM
LOL...!
1stGreg @ Jan 28th 2008 12:00PM
There are now several reports of Circuit City putting their HD DVD units on Clearance tags too.
Walmart seems to be wanting to clear its stocks of Venturers(clearance) :
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7942216
JimC @ Jan 28th 2008 12:02PM
I'm giddy with anticipation on how Truth Teller and his redheaded brethren spin this one. Although I'm pretty sure either TT or nFinity has already laid the groundwork on how B&M stores don't count in this war anyway....
Mr Stevo @ Jan 28th 2008 12:09PM
Well, he's going to come back with the usual argument that "Blu-ray sales may account for 85% of the high definition market. But, HD is only 1% of all movie sales. So, these numbers don't mean a thing. Blu-ray hasn't won anything"
EQC @ Jan 28th 2008 12:13PM
Claims of "low" HD-media sales are stupid at this point. HD-media sales (the huge majority of which are BluRay) have outpaced DVD in it's first couple years:
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080127-blu-ray-is-smokin-hot-hd-formats-outpacing-dvd.html
DrXym @ Jan 28th 2008 1:10PM
Truth Teller will probably come up with some amazing gem about how Blu Ray will fail because of upscaling DVD players, or how a handful of movies released some time between now and never will save the format.
Truth Teller @ Jan 28th 2008 1:31PM
Twin discs are the big deal Blu-ray cannot match along with, to a lesser extent, combo discs.
Dismiss those discs all you like but only HD DVD offers them and only HD DVD can provide the move to high def that does not alienate the entire vast SD DVD user base.
JimC @ Jan 28th 2008 1:42PM
@Truth Teller
I'm going to break my own rules and respond since this is an actual debatable (subjective) point. The Twin discs are technically interesting but not sure how practical it is. Hitman on blu-ray is announced with a "digital copy" basically a standard def version of the movie on a DVD. Now if I were wanting the option that has greatest flexibility, wouldn't a separate single DVD SD version be the best route? Just include the DVD in the same package.
How is the Twin disc superior to just including the SD DVD along in the package? Apart from the marginal cost of a separate DVD disc. Seems to me Twin disc, and this is my opinion, is overkill to a simple problem. It is elegant and technically cool, but is the return on investment worth it?
Ryan @ Jan 28th 2008 2:01PM
JimC, putting 2 discs in the package (1 DVD and 1 HD DVD or blu-ray) is not an option for either side. The studios would never allow it.
Most people would just sell off the second disk that they had no use for, which would flood the resale market, cause prices to drop drastically and lead people to buy those versions of the movie rather than new ones that the studios actually make money for.
If John Techie wants the HD DVD or blu-ray of a movie he buys it for $24.99, and Joey Sickspak wants the SD DVD of them ovie and he buys it for $19.99, and the studio sees a large cut of all of that. Now, if John Techie gets both the HD DVD and SD DVD in his one package, he now has an SD DVD that he doesn't care about and can give it to Joey for whatever nominal amount of money (since he doesn't care about it anyway) he feels like, and the resale prices are now low enough to make it worthwhile for people to buy used over new more often.
Likewise, if Joey buys the retail version he now has an HD DVD or blu-ray disc that he can't even play, so to him the choice is to pawn it off for whatever he can get for it or use it as a frisbee.
Retail sales would dwindle with the flooded resale market leading to such cheap "like new" versions of the disc, which is cash right out of the studios pockets. Not a chance in hell the studios throw away money like that.
JimC @ Jan 28th 2008 2:18PM
@Ryan,
Ahhh yes, I forgot. I assumed incorrectly that people would just be honest. However, Fox is doing this with Hitman. So perhaps they are testing the waters....
Truth Teller @ Jan 28th 2008 3:12PM
2 different def discs in the package is never going to appeal to anyone.
The consumer will find it cumbersome and the manufacturer will find it an expense they'd rather avoid.
It's just another example of the typical Blu-ray mess and half-assed answer to something HD DVD can do so simply & elegantly.
Naaa, the PS3 game console format can have the PS3 game console kiddies (which is effectively all it currrently has), it won't be making the break into the mainstream mass-market.
JimC @ Jan 28th 2008 3:44PM
@Truth Teller
I don't see the need for it anyway. But as I understand the technology, Twin discs use 3 layers on the media. 1 for DVD and 2 for HD. This is fine and a very elegant solution but to what problem? I'm not convinced of the benefit here. Other than being able to watch a SD version on older non-HD players. Well, that is a use case but is it a market driving use case? I'm assuming the Twin Disc cannot store over 30Gb of HDDVD data, so it would seem that the Twin disc is forcing HDDVD to stay with the 30Gb limitation. In the long run, assuming mass acceptance of HD media as the "goal", this seem more like a stop-gap solution to a short term "problem".
How is manufacturing and formatting to this specification any cheaper than simply adding in the second SD DVD? I for one don't see this being a large segment of the market demand. Even those people who still own a DVD player elsewhere, I don't see them really being driven to either format by the inclusion of SD version either on disc or on a separate disc....
For exactly one data point, I know it wouldn't have been a factor in any of my blu-ray purchases if I had the choice of getting a "Twin" or digital copy in SD form.
Regardless, Hitman is being released on blu-ray with a SD disc included so apparently there is a demand or a potential selling point to this but it is niche market. I don't see this is catching on or in high demand.
Glen @ Jan 28th 2008 8:12PM
@Truth Teller...
Your "twin discs" have been out for quite a while, and were supposed to change the world a long time ago:
09/2006 (engadgetHD) http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/09/11/toshiba-and-memory-tech-unveil-new-triple-layer-dvd-twin-disc/
So, they haven't helped yet. Why should that magically change now?
How are YOU such a credible source, when all you seem to do is exaggerate & retell rumors (many of them first "invented" by nfinity)? Your guarantee about HD-DVD & Warner:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/warner-scheduled-to-appear-at-hd-dvd-press-conference-at-ces/
"Oh dear. Its all gone quiet over there. lol"
"Just imagine how large my grin is right now"
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/18/hey-warner-wheres-the-matrix-for-blu-ray/
"LMAO 3 weeks to go. Some people are in for a big surprise."
Truth Teller @ Jan 29th 2008 10:33AM
No glen, you're wrong.
Twin discs have not appeared yet at all.
Combo discs have.
Unfortunately tho they have their fans (lots of people like them cos they need only 1 disc to play in the home or car) they have always been a little more expensive than the vanilla disc.
EGo @ Jan 28th 2008 12:05PM
Why would Engadget report about Woolworths and not report about this...
http://www.betanews.com/article/Best_Buy_and_Frys_drop_80GB_PS3_from_online_stores/1201303476
DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 28th 2008 12:09PM
Good question... maybe it's because THEY DID????
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/25/best-buy-stops-selling-the-80gb-ps3/
Nice try though...
teej @ Jan 28th 2008 4:34PM
engadgethd.com is your friend, but engadget.com is your friend too.
Mark @ Jan 29th 2008 4:37AM
They're "dropping" the 80gb because its being replaced by something else dumbass.
Dave @ Jan 28th 2008 12:10PM
Yeah!
Also found here:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/28/woolworths_exclusively_backing_blu_ray/
EGo @ Jan 28th 2008 12:17PM
My mistake. I was thinking the PS3 was somehow "HD" related... Hold on... Two other PS3 articles hit EngadgetHD the same day but not that one.
ghmgmhgm @ Jan 28th 2008 12:20PM
They clearly say in their press release that they are dropping HD-DVD disks;
http://www.woolworthsmediacentre.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=33
BTW there are 820 Woolworths stores in the UK so this is a big deal.
DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 28th 2008 12:30PM
Thanks for enlightening me. Here in the colonies Woolworth's used to be a known retailer... didn't realize they were still alive and kicking over in the UK. Guess with that many stores, it is a big deal.
muddyh2o @ Jan 28th 2008 12:41PM
yeah, but woolie's is pretty low market in the uk. it's certainly no marks and sparks.
this may indicate the the stratum of hd player serves as a class indicator. hd dvd for the educated, upper classes and blu ray for the poor.
(sits back and waits for the flames)
DrXym @ Jan 28th 2008 1:15PM
Marks and Sparks don't sell DVD players, and only a handful of DVDs usually for gift sets. By contrast Woolworths has a large music, games & video section and sells TVs & players. It certainly sells other stuff, but it's still a major highstreet retailer. I'd add that HMV doesn't seem far off dumping HD DVD as well - it's barely got any discs as it is.
Harold Loyd @ Jan 28th 2008 12:23PM
Mr Steveo seems to be a bit of an idiot. There are loads of Woolworths in the UK and HD media is actually taking off at a faster rate than DVD did.
Basically every point you try and make is total rubbish.
Mr Stevo @ Jan 28th 2008 1:05PM
@ Harold Lloyd:
Well, on my first post I mentioned that I have not seen of heard of a Woolworth's in years and was under the impression they've gone out of business. I don't live in the UK, so I don't know what stores you have over there. Second, I mentioned "Montgomery-Wards." I don't know if you have those in your land too. Again, I don't live in England. But, they've in fact went out of business a while ago. For claiming to be from the UK, you really don't have much of a sense of humor/sarcasm. If that puts you on the offensive, then you might be a bit too sensitive.
Then, I tried to recap some of the nonsense "Truth Teller" would probably come up with to give this bad news a positive spin for HD-DVD. I even used "quotation marks" to emphasize what he'd probably wrote. Obviously you were not paying much attention to detail. If you're unaware of his nonsensical posts, then you're in for a treat.
So, the only one spewing "rubbish" is you "mate." Now, let's celebrate over a pint.
DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 28th 2008 12:34PM
Another nail... If the studios won't end the war, retailers will.
mntwister @ Jan 28th 2008 12:46PM
I don't think there are many Woolworth left in the US but in the UK I understand there are alot of stores, it survived there as a major retailer.
gamedude420 @ Jan 28th 2008 12:59PM
actually 0 woolworths in the united states. the american and europe one were related, but they broke apart in the late 80s or early to mid 90s. they have been seperate ever seince. the american orginal woolworhs company changed its name to foot locker corp since they also owned footlocker and wanted to get away from the original 5 and dime buisness. as they didn't think they could compete with walmart. (granted they were much better stores than walmart quality wise.
daschupa @ Jan 28th 2008 12:52PM
C'mon firesale, c';mon firesale, daddy needs a new pair of Transformers/Matrix collections...
Truth Teller @ Jan 28th 2008 1:02PM
Anyone who imagines Woolworths shifts huge numbers of DVD players (besides the most inexpensive sub 30/$60 bottom end of the market) is deluded.
B&M stores are not the big deal they once were that's simply a fact.
Just as it's also a fact that anyone who imagines this is over because Blu-ray have far less than 1% of the total movie disc market is living in la-la land.
I just wonder how many of these moves are because of the BDA or Sony paying for them.
I wouldn't put it past them.
okeygrak @ Jan 28th 2008 1:16PM
hahahhahahahaahah
DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 28th 2008 1:21PM
Well there you have it... B&M stores will not decide this format war. Thanks for clearing that up.
Truth Teller @ Jan 28th 2008 1:23PM
I know okeygrak, imagine that?
Who ever heard of them doing such a thing?
I agree tho, it's pretty laughable if they're stooping to that.
As a citizen of the UK (with a Woolworths in 2 nearby towns) I can say with 100% honesty that Woolworths just aren't the place anyone I know ever goes to for their larger electrical items.
You might by a CD or DVD in there or maybe a radio or MP3 player but TV or DVD?
No way, not unless it's the absolute bottom of the market and/or they have a special deal on you heard about.
(which is why someone here previously wondered if they were still around, they are hardly the force they once were on the UK high st)
JimC @ Jan 28th 2008 1:29PM
So predictable and so wrong....
John Drinkwater @ Jan 28th 2008 5:53PM
TruthTeller,
maybe your clique doesnt buy hardware from Woolies, but as a former employee (stockroom manager), I can tell you people will buy and do buy hardware from them. Its hardly Game, but its still on the high street between Dixons, Virgins and HMVs. What does your average person need that they cant find from those?
Truth Teller @ Jan 28th 2008 6:57PM
John Drinkwater
I don't have a "clique", I have an extended family and many friends around me & I know that not one of us would ever go to a Woolworths for our electrical items (of any size); unless a flyer came through the door advertising an amazing deal
(so that's a 'never' then).
No offence but I'd say they're pretty much a 'bottom-feeder' store anyways.
Come on, you know as well as I that it's simply a laughable deceit to mention Woolies in the same sentence as Dixons, Currys, Argos or John Lewis - nevermind the on-line retailers
(which is what Dixons is becoming or has just finished becoming).
I have just bought a brand new, new model 1080p HD TV.
I can honestly say that never once did the thought of even looking at Woolies cross my mind.
I went on-line, got an excellent deal & saved 300 ($600) on the High St price & got free delivery too - as millions are now doing for so many items.
You know as well as I that Woolies are a dying retailer in the UK High St because of this truth.
John Drinkwater @ Jan 28th 2008 8:21PM
I wont deny that it typically has a certain grade of person, but it does vary an awful lot - though youre being a complete snob about it.
As for saying Dixons, Currys, or Argos arent in the same league theyre all shitty retail shops in inner cities that peddle over-priced crap. I wouldnt mind so much but shop assistants know little to nothing about their items on sale so its just not worth talking to them. I buy all my hardware online, but thats because Im a techy and can understand it all. Others cant so will shop at their nearest whatever so unfortunately they have to make do.
Anyhow, not that anything Ive said matters to you, you seem rather blinded by HD-DVD fanboyism its a bit depressing really that you became so bitter.
(Yes, Woolies has been dying for years, and I am glad I left it years ago)
Truth Teller @ Jan 28th 2008 9:14PM
@ John Drinkwater
I don't see how I'm being a snob about anything, I'm merely stating the truth about this as I see it (and in fact in your comments you tend to agree).
You can slam Dixons, Argos or Currys if you like, I couldn't care less.
I have no great fondness for them either (tho Dixons on-line did me a great deal on my new telly) and I would agree at with your comments about the sad demise & death of the interested & knowledgable trained sales staff, actually.
You can describe my preference for HD DVD as fanboy-ism or bitterness if you want, you're perfectly free, of course, to do so.
But I an equally free to strongly disagree.
I know I have several serious & strong reasons for not wanting to touch Blu-ray with a barge-pole.
But more importantly I have several strong reasons for knowing HD DVD is the more consumer-friendly format of the 2 and preferring HD DVD to be the next disc based optical format.
You're completely mistaken if you honestly think that dishing back a little of what some of the worst BD fanboys here regularly dole out is in any way "bitterness".
Come on, wake up & lighten up.
It just taking a little pi$$ out of the game console fanboys, most of who clearly know f*ck-all squared about any of it when you get down to it.
Joe @ Jan 29th 2008 12:34AM
Your not making your case very well. You state that HD dvd will get traction from the sub 100$ players and a healthy dose of J6p. Those are exactly the kind of consumers who buy electronics from a Woolworth's.
You are denigrating the exact market segment you state HD-DVD needs to win over the BDA.
Truth Teller @ Jan 29th 2008 10:32AM
No Joe, it's perfectly consistent.
The truth is that Wollies is not a big electrical outlet in the UK anymore at any level of the market.
Low cost hosehold goods, eys, electrical items nothing like as much.
Mind you if $50 upscaling SD DVD players that also play HD DVD nicely arrive by the end of the year they may well stock them.
Too early to say.
TruthCommenter @ Jan 29th 2008 1:07PM
TruthTeller: " if $50 upscaling SD DVD players that also play HD DVD"
Ah-ha...ha, ha-ha, ha, ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha, ah-ha-haaa, ha-haaaaa, aah-haha,hahaa,heeee,hahaha, haha,hahaha, whoo,haha,hoho, haa, ahaa, haha, ahem,haha, ho . . . the fire sale continues, try
$50 in a few weeks