Best Buy still leads in Blu-ray sales, but Wal-mart is closing in

by Richard Lawler posted May 11th 2009 at 12:49PM

Looks like the gap among HD media retailers is narrowing, with Wal-mart slowly closing in on Best Buy's 40 - 50% marketshare estimated by retail analysts asked by Video Business. As the DVD market shifts to Blu-ray, it's expected that market shares begin to resemble those of DVD where Wal-mart holds sway with 40% of the sales. Our poll results show that most of you report copping at Amazon (home of the frequent BOGO, low prices and other promotions,) but do you see changing dealers as Blu-ray goes more mainstream?

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray

Tags: best buy, BestBuy, blu-ray, market share, MarketShare, retail, share, wal-mart

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

numerwan @ May 11th 2009 1:11PM

Makes sense... not everyone is comfortable shopping online... I only buy from Amazon cuz regardless if there is a sale or not, they will always be $5+ cheaper than BBY on their best day...

I still mostly netflix my BRays cuz im cheap and "we're in a recession" but i'll pick up quality 'keepers' from amazon...

Neutral

Big Sam @ May 11th 2009 1:30PM

Ditto & Ditto

Neutral

Richard @ May 11th 2009 1:28PM

I think Amazon is the leader in BD sales, since they price is often lower than most rivals. Frys also should do well, since some time they got excellent BD price.

Highest Ranked

BobW @ May 11th 2009 1:41PM

cheaper + no tax + no shipping + great service, amazon's a no brainer!

Neutral

bravesfan90 @ May 11th 2009 1:56PM

I get mine from Amazon and Moviestop

but also netflix a lot

Neutral

Eric @ May 11th 2009 2:03PM

I almost always go with Amazon. Best Buy is close, though, and if they have a sale for a movie I want and the price isn't much different than Amazon (it is on rare occasions), then I'll l pick it up. Though Best Buy has an annoying way of not bothering to tell you which edition a movie is - Wall-E 2 disk vs 3-disk for example.

Frys sometimes has lower prices too. I won't drive that far to save a buck, but if I'm in the neighborhood, I'll give it a look.

Still, Amazon is by far the best way to get Blu-ray. Wal-mart? The main reason their Blu-ray sales are flat is because they charge WAY MORE than Best Buy or Amazon. It's ludicrous that people believe the "Always the lowest prices" meme, because it simply isn't even close to true.

Neutral

Brent @ May 11th 2009 2:04PM

I don't understand why Best Buy would outsell Walmart. Walmart has more stores nationwide and they clearly have better prices than Best Buy. From what I've seen, Best Buy is actually among the worst in blu-ray pricing.

Highest Ranked

Galley @ May 11th 2009 2:06PM

All BD purchases at Best Buy should come with a tube of lubricant.

Neutral

minimalist @ May 11th 2009 2:16PM

I'll stick with Amazon because I have a Prime account that gives me free 2 day air delivery. If I pre-order I get the Blu-ray delivered to my office on release day.

But Best Buy has reasonable prices and sometimes they have great deals the week of release so I keep an eye out for specials there.

I never go to Wal-Mart for anything because its out of the way, but the fact that their Blu-ray sales are picking up does seem to indicate the format is becoming even more mainstream.

Neutral

Stan @ May 11th 2009 2:17PM

screw chinamart.....amazon all the way....or even BB...

Neutral

David S @ May 11th 2009 2:43PM

What difference is there between Best Buy and WalMart? Virtually no consumer electronics are made in the US anymore. Just because Best Buy has crappier sales and thus more upscale? Best Buy isn't exactly the titan of environmental friendliness, labor relations, effects on locally owned competitors, etc.

Big Box is Big Box.

Neutral

Spiza @ May 11th 2009 6:16PM

Wal-Mart has used their lawyers several times to hurt American companies and benefit foreign (Chinese) companies. China's government has subsidized several industries to get them off the ground. There should have been tariffs put on these products by law. Wal-Mart would use its lawyers to slow down the tariffs being put on these products. This happened with the TV industry in America. China was "dumping" TVs in America for less than it cost to manufacture them. American companies were therefore trying to get a legal tariff placed on these goods as no one can compete with someone selling less than cost. Wal-Mart lawyers were used to slow the process to the point all American TV manufacturers went out of business before the tariff was applied. We are now left with some TVs being assembled in America.

You don't see other companies doing this.

Highly Ranked

Antonio @ May 11th 2009 2:42PM

Pre-decided purchases come from amazon.
Impulse buys come from Wall-Mart.

Neutral

Co1e @ May 11th 2009 3:14PM

amazon, half, and netflix

Neutral

Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ May 11th 2009 4:32PM

I wont be buying from Wal-mart OR Best Buy until the price comes down. i.e. they have a $5 bin for BD movies like they do DVDs....

until Then I'll stay doing what I been doing I getting them off eBay and Amazon...

Neutral

Fred @ May 11th 2009 7:42PM

I was with you guys, but even lately Amazon has started to sell new movies the same price as Best Buy and Amazon, I am troubled by this. But I agree, most of my current BLu movies were purchased on Amazon, followed by Best Buy.

Neutral

Jason H @ May 11th 2009 8:07PM

Why is a photo from a Target Blu-ray display being used for an article about Best Buy and Walmart?

Neutral

FVbruin @ May 12th 2009 5:16PM

I buy a lot of Blu rays and have found the best prices generally from tower.com when compared to BB or amazon. I usually pay uner $20 for all the best titles and get free shipping with orders over $25, no tax since im in CA.

Neutral

Timezones @ May 12th 2009 10:47AM

Are people REALLY rushing out to Best Buy and dropping $30 + tax for new release Blu-Ray movies??? It would be one thing if they knocked the Blu-Ray price down to around $20 the first week a movie comes out, but I just laugh when I see new release DVD's on sale for $16 and the Blu-Ray copy for $35 sitting right next to it. I mean come on!!! Haven't retailers figured out that consumers will justify *ANY* purchase because it was "on sale".

Neutral

solodragon @ May 12th 2009 2:05PM

While I prefer Amazon for buying, especially new, my local Target has been good at pricing their stock to match Amazons on the shelf--no asking for a price match. They're usually a few bucks more than Amazon, but when you factor in shipping charges it comes out about even.

As for Wal-Mart vs. Best Buy, you wouldn't know it to look at the pathetic BD stock at my local Wal-Mart. BB has way better selection.

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