P3D Ritz and Film etc.

[markaren@xxxxxxxxx (Karen Obusek)]

Surely there is a small mark-up on film sales. I doubt any mail order
company can earn profits simply by selling film. Many retailers or mail
order companies offer film as a customer service to support their other
products etc. Could you imagine a photo shop that did not sell film?
I'll bet B&H would remain very profitable if they discontinued
film......but many would complain. Conversely, a photo shop that carries
film and batteries ( remember those little Foto Hut islands in parking
lots? ) They are all but extinct. I have a relative who's a DM for Ritz.
In his market, processing makes up 65% + of a stores monthly volume.
Cameras, bags, accessories, frames make up most of the balance......and
film sales is a very small percentage ( but an important one) of a
stores volume. Consider a company like Seattle Film Works......the film
is free....the revenues are made on processing. I cannot comment on
Ektachrome specifically but Kodak film sales are nearly extinct in
downtown Ritz stores. Sensia is the only slide film being consistently
reordered in this market.         Mark Dottle


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