CD-ROMs sprawl into new retail outlets.They're being sold now by mass merchandisers Computer software isn't just for nerds any more. The mass merchandising era has arrived for CD-ROMs, which are suddenly popping up in unlikely places like supermarkets, discount department stores This is a list of department stores. In the case of department store groups the location of the flagship store is given. This list does not include large specialist stores, which sometimes resemble department stores. and even gas stations. The most important high-tech trend of 1996 might not be the pace of new development, but the expansion of computer software, especially computer games on CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). , into the mainstream. Until recently, "alternative merchandising" for CD-ROM products meant selling niche titles via specialty stores catering to that niche. Meanwhile, the vast majority of CD-ROMs are sold by software retailers. But a large number of manufacturers are beginning to pursue a new, mass-merchandising strategy. In recent months, software titles have turned up in supermarkets and discount stores selling for as low as $7.95, a fraction of the cost charged for CD-ROM titles in software stores. Locally, at least two CD-ROM manufacturers are actively pursuing the mass merchandising strategy, led by West L.A.-based Saban Entertainment  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. Inc.
Marketing widespread Saban, creator of the popular children's TV and film characters the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers This article lists fictional characters from the Power Rangers universe who have served as Power Rangers. Unlike the List of Power Rangers characters, which lists serving Power Rangers alphabetically alongside other characters from the same fictional universe, this article lists only , launched a line of five hybrid CD-ROMs in time for the 1995 Christmas season. All five titles are interactive games for children using Power Rangers characters This is a list of characters from the Power Rangers universe - both Rangers and supporting characters. Minor characters (including Monsters, foot soldiers, cross-over characters, and spin-off characters) are not listed. , introduced at a price of about $19.95 each. "Hybrid" titles can be played on both the Apple Macintosh Apple Macintosh - Macintosh and IBM-compatible platforms. They are currently available in discount department stores like Target and K mart, as well as electronics retailers and toy stores. But company officials are negotiating with supermarket chains and convenience stores The following is a list of convenience stores organized by geographical location. Stores are grouped by the lowest heading that contains all locales in which the brands have significant presence. as well, and expect to have 18 titles in mass distribution by the next holiday season. "This (mass marketing strategy) is without a doubt the wave of the future," said J. David Koch There are several people called David Koch:
Koch declined to reveal sales figures sales figures npl → cifras fpl de ventas for the CD-ROM products so far, but said they have met the company's expectations. The discs are packed in a plastic clamshell box, similar to the packaging used on home videos sold by Walt Disney Noun 1. Walt Disney - United States film maker who pioneered animated cartoons and created such characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; founded Disneyland (1901-1966) Disney, Walter Elias Disney Co. only somewhat larger. Packaging is emerging as the biggest question mark in the future of software merchandising. While packaging for audio CDs has been standardized, there are no similar standards for software. This can create problems for retailers that have not traditionally carried CD-ROMs and do not have shelving or special racks to accommodate them. "Everyone is making a different package for a different channel," said Joey Tamer, president of Marina del Rey-based SOS SOS, code letters of the international distress signal. The signal is expressed in International Morse code as … — — — … (three dots, three dashes, three dots). Inc., a consulting firm Noun 1. consulting firm - a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee consulting company business firm, firm, house - the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a specializing in multimedia distribution. "The video stores want something that looks like a video case, the audio stores want something that looks like a CD case. Nobody is attempting to standardize packaging." Displays vary Saban, like many other manufacturers pursuing alternative sales channels, supplies retailers with a cardboard stand-alone rack to display the CD-ROM games. The boxes can also come equipped with plastic hooks so they can be hung from supermarket shelves or racks. In Cerritos, a start-up CD-ROM manufacturer that licenses the Memorex name for its products is also supplying retailers with cardboard display cases to further its ambitious distribution strategy. N-TK (Entertainment Technology) Inc. was created in June 1995 after founder S.W. Park acquired the Memorex license. While its titles are currently available only in two software chains in the East and Midwest, N-TK expects to launch its products into a wide variety of discount chains within the next month, according to Marketing Director Pamela Unruh. N-TK makes a broad range of CD-ROM products that include games, reference, education, mystery and other software categories. The titles are usually sold in boxes containing three CD-ROMs each, and retail for as little as $14.95 and as much as $34.95. "Prices for software are going to continue to go down as time goes on and computers enter the mainstream," Unruh said. "People who are new computer users aren't going to pay $50 for a piece of software anymore." |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion