It is amazing that a format as new as DVD can already have its rarities!
The classic Disney titles are managed in the same way as DeBeers manage diamonds - staging their release onto the market to maintain scarcity, demand and high value.
Outside of Disney a few other titles come to mind.
Roddy Doyle's "The Snapper" is not available in the UK or Ireland. We have managed to import copies from the U.S. but these are Region 1 DVD's and will only play on multi-region DVD players. "Trainspotting" is currently off the market and is not generally available. "Leon" is attracting a big price on the second hand market. "Dirty Dancing" would now cost over €20 to buy, but was available for less than €10 last year. "Into The West" is currently available in Holland but not in the UK or Ireland - explain that! "Man Of Aran", one of the earliest films made in Ireland is only available from the U.S. (Region 1).
Any others I should add to my "watch" list?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Cheap Memory
The price of digital memory continues to drop.
BPM has been selling 1 Gb SD memory cards for €7.95 and 2 Gb memory cards for €14.95 since early 2008.
This week we are launching a 2 Gb micro SD card (for mobile phones) at €14.95. This is a significant development as most phones that use a memory card are supplied with memory cards that have very small capacity. A 2 Gb phone memory card really does bring a mobile phone into the realm of MP3 player.
The micro card comes with an adapter that will allow the card to be used with any device that can accomodate a normal SD card.
The launch of this card marks a new departure for BPM into phone accessories. We have also introduced a range of small speakers specifically designed for mobile phones - Nokia, Samsung, etc. These compliment the memory cards and further recognise the fact that more and more music is being stored on mobile phones.
More phone accessories will be added in the future, but only if they can be sold at a reasonable price offering very good value for money to our customers.
BPM has been selling 1 Gb SD memory cards for €7.95 and 2 Gb memory cards for €14.95 since early 2008.
This week we are launching a 2 Gb micro SD card (for mobile phones) at €14.95. This is a significant development as most phones that use a memory card are supplied with memory cards that have very small capacity. A 2 Gb phone memory card really does bring a mobile phone into the realm of MP3 player.
The micro card comes with an adapter that will allow the card to be used with any device that can accomodate a normal SD card.
The launch of this card marks a new departure for BPM into phone accessories. We have also introduced a range of small speakers specifically designed for mobile phones - Nokia, Samsung, etc. These compliment the memory cards and further recognise the fact that more and more music is being stored on mobile phones.
More phone accessories will be added in the future, but only if they can be sold at a reasonable price offering very good value for money to our customers.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Disposable MP3 Players?
BPM have in stock Trekstor MP3 players selling at €9.95 and €14.95. Both have a memory of 512Mb - enough to hold over 100 songs. My personal choice would be the €14.95 version as it has a built-in radio and a battery that can be recharged via a USB cable.
For €14.95 you get an MP3 player, a radio and a voice recorder facility. Also included is a good set of earphones, a USB cable and 3.5mm to 3.5mm connection cable. I have seen these cables on sale in one of the supermarket chains for €19.95 on their own!
I would admit that the instructions that come with the player are very basic and we have had a few returned to our shops as "faulty". We have found no defect in them other than a failure by the manufacturer to give clear instructions. We found that all was required was to format the memory and the player worked perfectly.
I would consider these MP3 players as disposable. They would be ideal for high risk use - holidays, etc. where the maximum you can lose is the €14.95 you paid. You do not want to bring your expensive iPod on holidays where it is likely to be damaged, lost or stolen. Load up your favourite tracks on a 'disposable' player (and FM radio) - if you still have your player at the end of your trip that would be a bonus!!!
For €14.95 you get an MP3 player, a radio and a voice recorder facility. Also included is a good set of earphones, a USB cable and 3.5mm to 3.5mm connection cable. I have seen these cables on sale in one of the supermarket chains for €19.95 on their own!
I would admit that the instructions that come with the player are very basic and we have had a few returned to our shops as "faulty". We have found no defect in them other than a failure by the manufacturer to give clear instructions. We found that all was required was to format the memory and the player worked perfectly.
I would consider these MP3 players as disposable. They would be ideal for high risk use - holidays, etc. where the maximum you can lose is the €14.95 you paid. You do not want to bring your expensive iPod on holidays where it is likely to be damaged, lost or stolen. Load up your favourite tracks on a 'disposable' player (and FM radio) - if you still have your player at the end of your trip that would be a bonus!!!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Downloading .v. CD
Outside of CD's and DVD's other forms of digital media could be viewed as a threat to the traditional music store. MP3 players that download directly from internet sources have had an impact on physical music sales. The real music enthusiast will still want to buy the physical product but a lot of casual listeners are happy to just download the tracks. There are concerns regarding the legitimacy of some internet sites offering free downloads. If income is not generated for the music industry then investment in upcoming talent cannot be made and the future of music will be all the poorer.
I do not believe that there will ever be adequate control on music distributed via the internet. If the music industry is to survive in its traditional form (i.e. major labels creating major acts rather than fragmented with individual acts promoting themselves purely via the internet) then the way forward has to be via a physical product - CD or its successor.
The challenge is to keep the ordinary music consumer interested in the physical product. To do this there must be value for money for the consumer. The day of expecting more than €20 for an album is fast passing. The benchmark for a new release (other than 'special' editions) is now €16.95. The new Oasis album is actually on sale in our stores at €13.95.
Ours is the only business where the average retail price of our main product - a CD - has fallen by 25% over the past 5 years. I believe that the price will continue to drop.
For the past few years we have been offering a lot of back catalogue in a deal of "2 for €20". We have now abandoned this deal as we can offer most of our back catalogue at an individual price of €9.95 or less with average prices dropping to €8.95 and €7.95.
It has never been a better time to be a consumer. You have all the options.
But do not dismiss your local music store. If you have not visited in a while come in and have a look. You may find that you can enjoy the physical CD for not much more than you are paying for a digital download. A CD looks and feels much better than a listing on your computer screen! It cannot be lost by a computer crash and you will not lose your entire music collection if your mp3 player is lost or stolen!
I do not believe that there will ever be adequate control on music distributed via the internet. If the music industry is to survive in its traditional form (i.e. major labels creating major acts rather than fragmented with individual acts promoting themselves purely via the internet) then the way forward has to be via a physical product - CD or its successor.
The challenge is to keep the ordinary music consumer interested in the physical product. To do this there must be value for money for the consumer. The day of expecting more than €20 for an album is fast passing. The benchmark for a new release (other than 'special' editions) is now €16.95. The new Oasis album is actually on sale in our stores at €13.95.
Ours is the only business where the average retail price of our main product - a CD - has fallen by 25% over the past 5 years. I believe that the price will continue to drop.
For the past few years we have been offering a lot of back catalogue in a deal of "2 for €20". We have now abandoned this deal as we can offer most of our back catalogue at an individual price of €9.95 or less with average prices dropping to €8.95 and €7.95.
It has never been a better time to be a consumer. You have all the options.
But do not dismiss your local music store. If you have not visited in a while come in and have a look. You may find that you can enjoy the physical CD for not much more than you are paying for a digital download. A CD looks and feels much better than a listing on your computer screen! It cannot be lost by a computer crash and you will not lose your entire music collection if your mp3 player is lost or stolen!
Friday, October 24, 2008
No Shows & Big Shows
Mr. Osmond was a no show at our Wexford store yesterday. We will put it down to the weather!
The big show today is Slane. Our ticketmaster stores opened at 8:00 a.m. As usual our busiest outlet was Waterford where some customers queued from the middle of the night. So far all customers have been satisfied but the availability of tickets on the system is becoming limited as of now.
The big show today is Slane. Our ticketmaster stores opened at 8:00 a.m. As usual our busiest outlet was Waterford where some customers queued from the middle of the night. So far all customers have been satisfied but the availability of tickets on the system is becoming limited as of now.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
New Releases - Friday 24th October
Tomorrow sees some new releases of note!!
Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns
Bloc Party - Intimacy
Pink - Fun House
Ryan Adams - Cardinology
Also out tomorrow is Tommy Tiernan's new DVD "Bovinity".
Tickets for Slane (Oasis / Prodigy) will be on sale at 8:00 a.m. We will open early to sell if you will come early to buy!!
Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns
Bloc Party - Intimacy
Pink - Fun House
Ryan Adams - Cardinology
Also out tomorrow is Tommy Tiernan's new DVD "Bovinity".
Tickets for Slane (Oasis / Prodigy) will be on sale at 8:00 a.m. We will open early to sell if you will come early to buy!!
Merril Osmond & Luan Parle
Today we are expecting Merril Osmond and Luan Parle to make an appearance in our Wexford store. They are expected at around 3:30 p.m. Merril may have two of his brothers with him. If you want to meet a member of one of the biggest bands of the seventies please come along and say hello.
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