What concepts being tested by Blockbuster do you think are most promising? What do you think of Jim Keyes’ approach to keeping Blockbuster relevant? Are there other concepts that you think the chain should be pursuing?

You have to admire the efforts. Here’s the important quote:”I’m a big believer of the physical relevance of a store. People like to shop, whether it’s in a Neiman Marcus or a Blockbuster,” Mr. Keyes said. “But we need to change our stores to become a destination for entertainment.”

It’s true everything is moving online, but a combination of online and in-store is necessary to optimize opportunities. However, here’s the other important quote:

Arvind Bhatia, an analyst at Sterne Agee & Leach in Dallas, has been through the test stores. Although he found them promising, he said it’s too early to tell whether the investments will generate a return.

http://www.retailwire.com/Discussions/Sngl_Discussion.cfm/12917

Who is the Recreational Shopper?

About 70% of middle-to-high-income shoppers may be considered recreational shoppers. They are retailers’ prime targets, because they shop more often (both for necessities and for fun), spend one-third more than non-recreational shoppers during a typical month, and are the best growth prospects for the future. What’s the key to capturing their dollars? Making shopping more fun, and providing shopper-friendly store environments. So concludes the Recreational Shopping Report, by Unity Marketing.

 

What determines where recreational shoppers will shop? When shopping for necessities, it’s price and location; when shopping for recreation, it’s the quality and selection of merchandise, and good customer service. Clean, well-organized spaces are important to recreational shoppers, as is the overall in-store atmosphere — aesthetics are influential in the making of their shopping and buying decisions! An important point regarding these most desirable recreational shoppers: once “turned off” to a store, it is hard to draw them back.

 

A special feature included in Recreational Shopping Report 2006 is a psychographic profile of five key per­sonality types of recreational shoppers. These include:

■          The Therapeutic Shopper (shops as a form of therapy)

■          The Uber Shopper (shops more, spends more, enjoys it more)

■          The Discerning Shopper (carefully researches and comparison shops before purchasing)

■          The Bargain Hunter (discount bargain shopper)

■          The Reluctant Shopper (has to be coaxed)