[photo-3d] Photo Retailers

[markaren@xxxxxxxxx]

Retailers with one hour labs ( like Ritz Camera) are featuring and
PUSHING digital cameras. In fact, a store is expected to meet minimum
quotas for digital camera/ accessory sales. Digital show cases have
expanded from one case to 3+ cases and the digital product mix continues
to expand. Although almost every Ritz store can print from digital media
( approx $2.50 each for a 4x6 print....using the Aladdin machine) only
12-15% of stores are equipped with the Frontier machine....reducing
these costs to approx 70 cents to 99 cents per 4x6 print. Currently, the
majority of digital camera owners are not using this service. Ritz seems
to feel it's just a matter of time before media cards are printed in one
hour, along with film. Personal printers continue to sell strong like
digital cameras, a decent printer can be had for only $200 or so.
Industry gurus seem to believe digital cameras will generate just as
much repeat business as 
film cameras. I'm not sure I'm convinced. I see 15% losses across the
board compared to the same months last year. So.....folks who either
work in the industry or stay abreast of such things.....what say you??
Will digital dollars offset lost film dollars, and allow retailers to
maintain or expand profits?  Are companies like Ritz riding the "
digital wave" now, and heading down the same path as a door to door
encyclopedia salesperson? 
                                                 Mark Dottle  


 

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