dsl killed the video store
Mar. 21st, 2007 09:39 amNine years ago, it was the dot-com stores that were closing left and right. Brick-and-mortar stores declared victory.
Today, it's the brick-and-mortar stores closing left and right, while dot-coms are... if not exactly thriving, doing steady business.
Case in point: how many record stores and video rental places have closed in YOUR neighborhood in the last year alone? CD sales have plunged 20% in the last year (thanks to![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
kerrizor for the link).
What made the difference? The wide availability of DSL and broadband, plus WiFi, make it possible for web content to be delivered in the way dot-coms wanted to deliver it nine years ago. Also, Americans are more willing now to pay for expedited delivery or wait for the mail to bring things to them, than they are to walk or drive to the store. Stores can't compete with the selection available online of just about any product, and the lack of sales tax counters the cost of shipping.
Today, it's the brick-and-mortar stores closing left and right, while dot-coms are... if not exactly thriving, doing steady business.
Case in point: how many record stores and video rental places have closed in YOUR neighborhood in the last year alone? CD sales have plunged 20% in the last year (thanks to
kerrizor for the link). What made the difference? The wide availability of DSL and broadband, plus WiFi, make it possible for web content to be delivered in the way dot-coms wanted to deliver it nine years ago. Also, Americans are more willing now to pay for expedited delivery or wait for the mail to bring things to them, than they are to walk or drive to the store. Stores can't compete with the selection available online of just about any product, and the lack of sales tax counters the cost of shipping.
