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A Gallon of Milk and Blu-ray
June 30, 2008

It looks like at least one QFC grocery store in Seattle is starting to stock Blu-ray Discs. Tyler Pruitt, editor for the Format War Central blog, made the discovery at his local QFC. Here is a picture of his find. The store seems to be carrying mostly new releases, such as Fool's Gold, over catalog.
At my nearest Los Angeles area groceries, Ralph's and Von's, I haven't seen any Blu-ray titles being sold. Ralph's and QFC are sister grocery brands under parent Kroger. 
Additionally, beyond a few hot releases near the cash register, there is not a whole lot in terms of even standard DVD at these two L.A. stores. But it will really mean something for the Blu-ray format, if groceries can start increasingly including Blu-ray products into their merchandise mix, even if in limited amounts. Grocery equals mainstream family shopper, the demographic Blu-ray must win over to achieve established format status.
Maybe last year, I would have said $25-30 Blu-ray titles are too expensive for most grocery shoppers to snag. But at the rate food prices are going, Blu-ray titles may start looking like relatively reasonably priced entertainment.

Posted by Susanne Ault on June 30, 2008 | Comments (0)