Andre Yoskowitz
7 May 2009 18:57
According to new figures from the NPD Group, Blu-ray standalone sales for the Q1 2009 increased over 72 percent year-on-year from 2008, to over 400,000 units.
Perhaps even more importantly, dollar sales increased to $107.2 million, an increase of 14 percent year-on-year.
"The rising penetration of high-definition televisions and lower Blu-ray player prices are broadening the format’s market opportunity," added Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis at NPD. "Even as options expand for accessing movies digitally, Blu-ray is carrying forward the widespread appeal of DVD into the high-definition marketplace."
The aptly named March 2009 update “Blu-ray Report” also showed that Blu-ray had reached 90 percent awareness in the US in the past six months. Six percent of respondents also added that they were “extremely or very likely” to buy a player in the next six months, which was slightly up from 5 percent last time the "Report" was issued.
The "Blu-ray report" also added that the average selling price for stand-alone fell 34 percent year-on-year, from $393 USD to $261 USD. NPD notes that users are likely to buy in the next six months for the average of $214.
“The leading driver of Blu-ray purchase intent is recommendations from friends, family or co-workers,” said NPD’s entertainment industry analyst, Russ Crupnick. “Blu-ray’s superiority used to be difficult for many consumers to grasp, but when friends rave about it, or demonstrate Blu-ray in their homes, they are selling the benefits in a way that is far more effective than simply viewing an advertisement or seeing it demonstrated at a retail store.”
The data was collected from an online survey of 6,994 consumers aged 18 or higher in the US.