B&R Upgrades Acquired Unit
tores here recently completed upgrading the video-rental department of a store it acquired in Columbus, Neb., said Bob Gettner, video buyer/coordinator. The retailer put in a new point-of-sale software system and improved signage for the 2,000-tape section that uses the reduced-image card method of merchandising.
"Even though it's a small department, we've run some very aggressive advertising," said Gettner. During the four-week grand opening period, "they had one of the best weeks that they ever had because of some very low pricing. So I think that store can do very well," he said.
B&R added a prominent sign with flashing lights listing new releases and changed the wall colors. For instance, a drab yellow border is now bright red, said Gettner. The department's two monitors are now being used constantly. "We get a tape from our distributor that plays trailers from the previous month's releases, as well as titles that are coming up," he said.
B&R has a new store set for a fall opening and it will include video rental, Gettner noted.
Hear Rentrak Adds New Line
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Pay-per-transaction distributor Rentrak Corp. here has added New Line Home Video to its roster of major studios, according to press reports. No official announcement was made and executives declined to comment.
The first New Line title to be available from Rentrak will be "Blast From the Past," distribution sources said. New Line is a sister company to Warner Home Video, Burbank, Calif., and industry sources speculated that Warner might be considering a deal with Rentrak. If it does, then Columbia TriStar Home Video, Culver City, Calif., would be the only studio that does not make its product available through Rentrak.
