Woolworths stores to stop selling HD DVD

Woolworths stores to stop selling HD DVD

Daniel Fleshbourne on 28 January 2008 - 14:26 · 29 comments & 35118 views

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Woolworths has through its high street heft behind the Blu-ray Disc format. From March, it will no longer sell HD DVDs in its shops. The change will coincide with the release of Pixar's Ratatouille, but while Woolies's shops will go Blu-ray only, the company will continue to sell HD DVDs online.

This move is the a result of a decision made after Christmas sales statistics were studied. In Woolworths stores, Blu-ray Discs outsold HD DVDs by a factor of ten to one over the seasonal sales period.

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#1 travelcard on 28 Jan 2008 - 14:35

At Last! A decision. The whole world has been waiting to see what side Woolworths would go with. Now we can get on with our lives.

(1 reply) #2 kravex on 28 Jan 2008 - 14:44

With the state of Woolworths stores I've seen lately the next headline could be "Woolworths stores to stop selling."

#2.1 winmoose on 28 Jan 2008 - 17:22

I was going to say the same thing. Woolworths is the most pointless shop I've been to.

#3 Julius Caro on 28 Jan 2008 - 14:44

For some reason I read "Worthless stores to stop selling HD-DVD" xD

Those figures come as no surprise, HD-DVD is practically non existant in europe.. and blu-ray is too, so go figure

#4 Jugalator on 28 Jan 2008 - 14:57

Thank god they made up their minds! Now I know what to choose when visiting Woolworths.

#5 altermind on 28 Jan 2008 - 14:59

has anyone seen the cost of Bluray compared to HD in australia.... I'll wait 3 more years thanks =/

#6 CrazyCanuck00 on 28 Jan 2008 - 15:14

I used to be a HD-DVD diehard, but at this point in time what we need is a clear, decisive winner. Any news on my new cause makes me a little happier inside.

(2 replies) #7 bbfc_uk on 28 Jan 2008 - 15:15

er, does anyone actually go into Wooloworths anymore? At one time it was the one-stop place for everything you need, but now its much more easier to go to a supermarket - where there is more choice, cheaper products and less-retarded staff who don't ask you if you would like to buy some stamps or a top-up phone card everytime you visit the counter!!

#7.1 evo_spook on 28 Jan 2008 - 15:32

(bbfc_uk said @ #7)

yes, they sell some dvds quite cheap and they're also good for chocolates

#7.2 +DrCheese on 28 Jan 2008 - 17:29

yeah Woolworth's is trashy nowadays, They have some good sales from time to time. I can never be bothered to walk all the way down to ours tho (Its outside the main shopping comple

It's still a big feature in many small towns tho. Its not an English town without a woolies

(1 reply) #8 Skwerl on 28 Jan 2008 - 15:50

Oh, man. That "through" should have been "threw," which should be "thrown." Zoinks.

#8.1 Lt-DavidW on 29 Jan 2008 - 13:18

+1, blame the sauce.

(2 replies) #9 KoDeXeRo on 28 Jan 2008 - 16:10

woolworth? seriously? seriously? LOL... the last time i been to a woolworth was umm.. probably 1998 and i haven't seen any of those stores anywhere here (CT, NY, NJ, MD, DC, VA, GA, FL) so where are they? I thought they went outta business long ago. I saw a K-Mart the other day and i was shocked! LOL.. I was like, damn.. you still around?

Anyways, i was pulling for HD DVD but guess it seems Blu-Ray is definitely winning so i can finally start buying players and discs now... so many movies i haven't seen yet cuz i was waiting for them in HD, now i can start again.

#9.1 NeoTrunks on 28 Jan 2008 - 20:29

As far as I know, they've closed all of their stores on our side of the pond a LONG time ago. I think the last thing I bought at one was Batman for the NES. That's a long time ago

#9.2 John S. on 29 Jan 2008 - 02:56

I was wondering the same thing. Woolworths used to be the place to go similar to K-Mart/Wal-Mart when I was a kid, they even had a restaraunt inside. I didn't realize they were still in the UK, nor that the company started focusing on sporting goods only and renamed itself....FootLocker

#10 randomnut on 28 Jan 2008 - 16:18

Even though it is woolworths, a good proportion of Joe Public shops there, especially for things like dvds. I'm glad people are making a decision one way or another, it can only go further to end this silly war.

Kodexero - They're a british store, there's loads of them here.

(2 replies) #11 lbmouse on 28 Jan 2008 - 16:22

Would some explain to us which Woolworths? The North American chain is no longer in business as a department store. Actually, would someone just wake me when a retailer that will actually make a difference like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy decides on an exclusive format.

#11.1 ]SK[ on 28 Jan 2008 - 16:28

This one.

#11.2 bits on 29 Jan 2008 - 13:41

Considering most here reading Neowin have to figure out what the hell every American reference is, I think it's only fair once in a while the minority of the world have to figure out when something relates to another country.

#12 American Ninja on 28 Jan 2008 - 16:28

Nice only a matter of time now

#13 timbo3 on 28 Jan 2008 - 16:50

Woolworths lasted until 1997 in the US, spun off it's international subsidiaries, (the one in the UK, and Germany), and renamed itself to Foot Locker. It's still in business in the USA - just a different name.

#14 ozgeek on 28 Jan 2008 - 16:54

In Australia, Woolworths is a large food supermarket selling food and grocioes.

Their website is www.woolworths.com.au

#15 DaveBG on 28 Jan 2008 - 17:14

Awesome news!

(1 reply) #16 +DrCheese on 28 Jan 2008 - 17:27

Toshiba's reply is lol

"We have been hugely successful in expanding the number of consumers owning HD DVD players. UK consumers can now pick-up an HD DVD player for less than �150, around half the cost of other HD formats. Even before pricing reached this level, HD DVD represented more than 60% of the overall standalone high definition market.

"Just as importantly for movie retailers, HD DVD has always enjoyed greater software sales per player than any other HD format. In fact, HD DVD owners have already bought around 3.5 movies each, compared to less than one movie sold per Blu ray device.

"While we're disappointed by Woolworths' decision, it is extremely early to spot which format will eventually win. As the figures I mention show - where consumers have a choice, they choose HD DVD. We're confident that HD DVD's affordability, fantastic choice of movies, great consumer experience and upcoming promotions will help it continue to strengthen its share of the market."

The bits I've bolded are doublespeak, in the first they don't include the PS3 in the stats but then in the second bit they do. Kinda lame on Toshiba's part.

#16.1 theyarecomingforyou on 28 Jan 2008 - 20:39

It's all for their shareholders. Most people see straight through statements like that as evidenced by Blu-ray's market lead despite being more expensive.

#17 theyarecomingforyou on 28 Jan 2008 - 19:46

This is no surprise. I've been into Woolworths several times recently and have seen Blu-ray creeping onto the shelves but HD-DVD was nowhere to be seen. I am glad they are taking this step to avoid consumer confusion but it's not a hugely significant move.

Also, despite what people say, there are still many people that shop at Woolworths and it is a significant move for the people that want an instant purchase or do not want to / are unable to purchase online.

#18 ishtar on 28 Jan 2008 - 21:13

Big flippin deal

(1 reply) #19 timmmay on 28 Jan 2008 - 22:22

Considering I do my grocery shopping at Woolworths (aussie), I was like wtf...who cares what dvd's they sell!

Turns out I was mislead

#19.1 CheeseFart on 29 Jan 2008 - 09:48

(timmmay said @ #19)

Considering I do my grocery shopping at Woolworths (aussie), I was like wtf...who cares what dvd's they sell!

Turns out I was mislead

i was thinking the same (nz)

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