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Can local video stores survive in the digital world ( Netflix )?

Can local video stores survive in the digital world ( Netflix )? Contrast their evolution with that of local bookstores. What is similar? What is unique?

Public Comments

1. I don't see independent video stores surviving, in fact, there are almost none in my area anymore. There are video stores like Blockbuster, or the video departments of large grocery stores. They will survive, but for different reasons. Both depend on the impulse renter, the person who doesn't plan ahead so they can use Netflix. Blockbuster has the advantage of a netflix-like rental program, but grocery stores have the built-in foot traffic of all those shoppers getting their dinner together and movie to go with it. As far as being able to download movies, there are plenty of challenges with that due to formats and DRM, so when people find out the movie they downloaded can only be played on their laptop and not their 50" plasma, they'll go rent locally if they really want to see the show.