Industry Publications

[vatch]

Hey all!

I am researching the idea of opening a store, and have found some really good info on this site!

I was wondering what sources everyone uses to guage the industry. What are some of the publications, or websites available for the retailer?
I believe there has to be an industry magazine, or something...

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Thomas]

There is an industry trade magazine.  It's name is Video Store Magazine.  It is a free subscription and you can sign up for it from their website which I will link below.

I believe that there is another called Video Business but I haven't seen one in some time.

http://www.hive4media.com

[chrisbach]

As Thomas said, the other video industry trade magazine is Video Business.  Their Website is http://www.videobusiness.com.

Video Store and Video Business are the 2 best sources.

Many years ago there was also a once great trade organization called the Video Software Dealers Association or VSDA, but they ignored their members wishes and needs and acted in a way to only preserve their own power, and clearly not in the best interest of their members.

After several years of ignoring their members wishes, and stabing IVR's in the back, the VSDA slowly withered away and died. It no longer exists, gone, dead, and rightfully so after their bad behavior.  

They no longer exist, other than as a fond memory of some longtime IVR's and are now just a PR division of Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, Movie Gallery, and perhaps a couple other Corporate chains.

Chris Bach
Music Stop - Movie Time
Cedarburg, Wisconsin

[Ed]

Well said Chris.

[vatch]

THANKS GUYS! i appreciate the info!

[mtnvideo]

WEll stated Chris and I do agree but check this out for too little too late: From Video Store Magazine:

The Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) is organizing an autonomous branch of the trade group devoted entirely to independent video retailers, VSDA president Bo Andersen announced today to a contingent of VSDA members.

The new “I Group” will have its own board of directors separate from the VSDA board and a dedicated staff.

Mark Vrieling will serve as the interim chairman of the group, dubbed iGroup in its beta phase.

Andersen called it a “bellwether day” for the trade organization, which has often faced concerns over the past few years that the VSDA has forsaken its charter mission as the advocate for the independent retailer.

“In many respects, today the VSDA is returning to its roots,” Andersen said.

Slightly less than half the yearly VSDA budget will go to the newly formed group, Andersen said.

The VSDA will allocate 75 percent of dues from independent specialty retailers to the new group, as well as 25 percent of associate dues, 50 percent of revenue from trade events and 50 percent of investment income. And iGroup will likely have three to four dedicated staff members at VSDA headquarters, Andersen said, once budget details are hammered out.

The idea sprang out of an informal gathering of committed independent retailers who worked alongside the VSDA to organize the new branch.

IGroup’ main goals are simple, Vrieling said: to boost the bottom line for current IVRs and to excite new and lapsed membership. The iGroup’s board of trustees is made up of current VSDA board members Vrieling (chair), Terri Schumacher (vice chair/secretary), Todd Zaganiacz (treasurer), Adrian Hickman, David Batten, Martha Sims, Tom Warren, Nick Novakovich and Kathy Slokum, as well as Ken Dorrance, who is not currently serving on the VSDA board.

The name is likely to change as board members survey their fellow video retailers. The group will work to develop a network of indie retailers, and create and implement educational support to help the independent video retailer market carve out its share of the thriving home entertainment market, iGroup organizers said.

The group will be announcing specific programs and plans between now and the VSDA Conference in July.

[Hardcopy]

Interesting. A comittee to discuss the situation basically... 75% of current revenue from IVR's.... tell me if I am wrong (as I am not a member), aren't the revenues from IVR's only a small percentage of the total there? They still stand to gain a lot of money for this venture, but I have my doubts. I hope for the best, but there is not a great track record there that I have seen.

I wish they had a smaller membership fee for IVR's who wish to support their legal efforts while staying away from the rest of their stuff.