pplies. Consumer acceptance of digital cameras and printing services has opened doors of opportunity for retailers, but traditional photo supply categories have suffered. Photo supplies in the food channel declined 12.79% to $388.6 million in the 52 weeks ended June 13.
In 2002, supplies were down 9.77% for the food channel, and by the end of 2003 had decreased another 11.58% to $418.1 million.
Conventional and instant film experienced the deepest declines in the food channel for the category, 21.37% and 23.18%, respectively, for the latest 52 weeks. Disposable cameras declined only 3.67%.
Declining numbers not only appeared in the food channel. Sales for food, drug and mass have all gone down in the last two years, and the decreases appear to be accelerating. Drug store numbers declined less than the food channel, but were not immune to forces battering photo supply sales figures. Dollar sales for the drug channel declined 9.25% in the most recent 52-week period; 2002 ended with a decrease of 4.48%. The 52 weeks ending in December 2003 were down 8.72%.
Dollar Sales Latest 52 Weeks Ended June 13, 2004; % Change; Dollar Sales Calendar Year Ended Dec. 28, 2003; % Change; Dollar Sales Calendar Year Ended Dec. 29, 2002; % Change