Borders and Barnes & Noble are slimming down their music offerings somewhat and increasing DVD selections, Video Business
reported. The changes are occurring both because of declining music CD
sales in general and the void created by the folding of Tower Records
and Musicland, which accounted for many DVD retail sales.
B&N has "reversed the emphasis within its music and movies sections
over the last 18 months, from 60% music and 40% DVD space dedication to
60% DVD/40% music," the magazine said.
At Borders, which is shifting some space from music to DVD and other
categories, more DVD titles are being displayed faceout now rather than
spine out.
"It's a good thing to get away from the spine," one studio executive
commented. "That is a book mentality, but it wasn't working for video
sections. It's good for [shoppers] to be able to see that package
sleeve and really see the film. It's a dramatic difference."
Bookstores make up just 2% of studio DVD sales, according to NPD
president of music and movies Russ Crupnick, but he said that
bookstores offer a "desirable consumer base."
