Posted 09/16/09 at 07:56:30 AM by Paul Lilly

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Blockbuster plans to board up anywhere from 810 to 960 of its retail locations by the end of 2010. Blockbuster says the closures affect all unprofitable stores as it aims "to improve four-wall profitability."

Most of the closures will take place this year, with between 580 and 685 stores expected to be on the chopping block. The remaining unprofitable stores will shut down sometime next year, but there's still time to turn things around.

"All these stores are candidate stores," Blockbuster spokesperson Randy Hargove said in a phone conversation with Cnet. "Although we may in fact close that many stores, if we can renegotiate leases or remodel stores to make them more profitable, that number might go down."

Meanwhile, the company's kiosk business continues to grow and is set to explode this year. In a separate filing with the SEC, Blockbuster said it plans to have 2,500 units available by the end of 2009, up significantly from the 497 kiosk units now available. And by the end of the 2010, Blockbuster anticipates 10,000 kiosks scattered throughout the country in an attempt to "increase the points of distribution."

And maybe increase its stock price. Blockbuster shares are currently trading for $1.40, a far cry from the $45 Netflix shares change hands at.

Read More

Posted 07/16/09 at 09:33:28 AM by Paul Lilly

As promised earlier this year, Microsoft plans to roll out several Microsoft-branded retail store fronts, but up until now, Microsoft wasn't saying where or when. Keven Turner, Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer, answered both of those questions during his Worldwide Partner Conference keynote on July 15.

According to Turner, the first store will open this fall and take residence right next to an Apple store. How's that for a new neighbor?

"As we progress on our retail strategy there will be scenarios where we have stores in proximity to Apple," Microsoft said a statement to CNet. "We are on track to open stores in the Fall timeframe. Beyond that we have no additional details."

Location aside, Turner insists Microsoft wouldn't be imitating Apple, which goes in line with Microsoft previously saying the stores would focus more on building the company's consumer brand than with distribution.

Read More

Posted 10/22/08 at 08:41:10 AM by Pulkit Chandna

Circuit City Stores Inc. might close 150 stores and opt for job cuts to stall its march towards bankruptcy, according to a WSJ report. Thousands of people might receive their termination letters, if there is any truth in this report. The retailer’s shares shot up by 20% on the back of this report.

Although the company’s spokesman Jim Babb refused to comment on the report, he admitted that the company was “assessing the productivity of our asset base.” With no signs of the ongoing financial storm relenting in the near future, the holiday season might not bring any relief for Circuit City – and its competitors. Apparently, the mess it is currently ensconced in has left Circuit City few choices.

Read More