It’s the end of an era, folks! Best Buy says it will end physical media sales like DVDs and Blu-rays by early 2024.
If you’ve been inside a Best Buy anytime in the past year or so, you probably noticed some significant changes to the entertainment outlet’s physical media section. Those changes include making the Blu-ray and DVD sections smaller than the money you get for trading your games in at GameStop. Back in my day, Best Buy was a haven of physical media, often stocking multiple versions of the same film. Do you want a limited edition SteelBook with exclusive artwork? Best Buy used to have your back. Are you horny for anime? Fear not! Best Buy stocks a variety of animated films and series with questionable age ratings for you to choose from! Unfortunately, those days will end after Best Buy announced they’re sunsetting most physical media sales.
According to industry sources familiar with the company’s plans, the retailer will phase out sales of DVDs and Blu-ray discs both in-store and online in early 2024.
“To state the obvious, the way we watch movies and TV shows is much different today than it was decades ago,” a Best Buy spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “Making this change gives us more space and opportunity to bring customers new and innovative tech for them to explore, discover and enjoy.”
Before Best Buy drives another nail in the coffin of physical media sales, the retailer will continue to sell movies and TV shows throughout the 2023 holiday season. Additionally, Best Buy is still in the business of selling physical copies of video games.
With streaming services being how most people consume content, DVD and Blu-Ray sales have been shrinking for years. U.S. physical media revenue in the first half of 2023 dropped 28%. With shipping costs, warehouse storage, and brick-and-mortar floorplans a concern, it’s unsurprising that Best Buy is looking to close the curtain on its DVD and Blu-ray sections.
Pour one out for physical media, folks! Are Walmart and Target next to nix physical media? What happens to Mom and Pop stores relying on physical media trade-ins to get people through the door? Only time will tell.
What do you think about Best Buy ending its physical media sales early next year? Do you still buy DVDs and Blu-rays from Best Buy? Let us know in the comments section below.
Originally published at https://www.joblo.com/best-buy-ending-physical-media/
