Costco to Focus on Blu-ray for the Holidays
Posted December 4, 2009 04:59 AM by Juan Calonge
Costco Wholesale Corp. is putting the spotlight on Blu-ray Disc players and movies for the holiday shopping season, expanding in-store availability of BDs by 50% and educating about the format. The December issue of Costco Connection, distributed monthly to the company's 53 million cardholders, devoted significant space to Blu-ray. “Blu-ray Disc movies are now the focus of our department,” said Costco warehouse DVD/Blu-ray buyer Claudia Augello in the magazine.
“Going from DVD to Blu-ray is like slipping on a pair of prescription glasses for the first time,” said Costco high-tech expert Marc Saltzman in an article titled “My Blu Heaven.”
Beginning December 18, Costco is cutting $10-$15 from select already reduced Blu-ray boxed sets from Sony, HBO and Fox. It is also offering free in-home “Concierge Services” technical support for any consumer electronics purchase, including Blu-ray players and home theater systems.
Costco Blu-ray player sales are up 450% over last year, according to DVD/Blu-ray buyer Yoon Kim, cited in Costco Connection.