Hollywood’s Arrival Unleashes DVD Price War
Hollywood is a new DVD shop just a few doors away from Oscars (nee Ka De Club) in Taikang Lu. This new DVD emporium stocks an amazing range of new and old American, Chinese and international titles. It is very similar to its neighbour, but with more choice and better merchandising. All of the films are boxed in hardcases on tall shelves along wide aisles. Hollywood is spacious and the layout makes it almost possible to find what you want. One day they may even get round to filing titles into alphabetical order, grouping them by genre.
Like Oscars, Hollywood charges way above the odds. DVD-5 and DVD-9 movies cost 10 and 20 RMB respectively, except Hollywood’s arrival has started a price war as both places have cut their prices by 20 percent. Oscars has even put up a sign thanking customers for their loyalty, but consumers are a fickle bunch especially when it comes to buying fake DVDs.
What are both shops going to do when we all stop buying physical media in favour of Internet streaming and downloads? We’ll sure they’ll think of something. In the meantime, Oscars and Hollywood will continue to build their businesses with exaggerated claims of quality and discounts. Whatever the pirates’ motive, there is an unintended benefit that it allows challenging, hard hitting movies to be viewed in China that would otherwise remain unseen. Could you imagine Chinese people being able to see Clockwork Orange under any other circumstance?
Hollywood’s address is 25 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu, Tel: 64673098
Opening hours are 10 am to midnight.
Oscar’s address is 25B Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu, Tel: 54652304
Opening hours are 11 am until 11 pm.