Video shops dodge extinction

by Hilary Smale

April 29, 2008

JUST as cinemas were once threatened by the launch of video shops, southside video businesses themselves are now threatened with extinction due to the rise of more accessible technology.

Video piracy, and free downloading websites such as Youtube, have forced businesses to become offer more diverse services.

A number of local video shops have had to experiment with new management and business ideas in order to maintain profits that were once gained solely through video rentals.

Alison Williams has been a manager at Jumbo Video in Bicton for 18 months, and says she’s helped maintain profits by developing a good customer relationship. She says that, unlike other businesses, Jumbo has a policy of ordering particular videos that customers are looking for.

“My theory is that if one person wants it, someone else will want it too,” Ms Williams explains. “Lots of people come back here, because we now have a better variety.”

Meanwhile, Video Ezy in Hamilton Hill now serves pizza along with its latest movie release.

Manager Mike King took over the business almost two years ago, and is now enjoying the profits from a new range of customers.

“From my perspective, there are too many video stores around doing the same old thing,” Mr King says. “People want something different.”

He believes that video technology will become even more accessible, and that video shops must be ready for this.

“Most people can just go and download it for free,” Mr King says. “So you need to have something to keep your customers coming back.”

Alex Fernandes has managed Starland Video in Beaconsfield for the last four years, and has quadrupled profits through a more dedicated group of staff.

She says a friendly and local atmosphere is something you can’t get through a free download, and that her shop now has a strong group of loyal customers.