In the previous post, I discussed how U.S. Best Buy stores have decided to support the Blu-ray high-definition DVD format going forward, continuing to offer both Blu-ray and HD DVD products, but with an increased focus on Blu-ray. Well, this situation isn't the case in Canada.
Spokespersons from both Best Buy Canada and Future Shop tell me that Best Buy and Future Shop stores in Canada will not be following suit at this time, and will continue to support both the Blu-ray and HD DVD high-definition DVD formats.
"Future Shop will continue to carry both formats to meet the lifestyle needs of our customers," were the exact words of a Future Shop spokesperson.
This is surprisingly, since Best Buy Canada and Future Shop stores are owned by Minneapolis, MN-based Best Buy. But perhaps the landscape in Canada is different, and Canadian consumers haven't made a clear format preference. If you walk into any Best Buy (or Future Shop) store here, you'll see one side of Blu-ray discs, and one side of HD DVD. Players are also equally out in full force, with HD DVD players arguably more prominent, given the relatively cheaper pricing.
Judging from the U.S. announcement, we won't see such equality south of the border come March. I'm not sure how they plan to display Blu-ray more prominently: perhaps by having Blu-ray discs on a pedestal and HD DVDs in a bin? But with arguably more titles and players available in the Blu-ray format, it only seems logical that Blu-ray would be displayed more prominently regardless of whether a conscious choice was made to do so or not.
Stay tuned for more information as the format war continues.
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