Disposable DVDs
Convenience Stores Add DVDs to Play List
June 15, 2004
SAN ANTONIO -- Patrons of Diamond Shamrock stores in the San Antonio-area can now get their favorite DVD along with a cup of coffee. A few weeks ago, the convenience stores began carrying ez-Ds, a 48-hour no-return digital video disc, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
The DVD, from Disney�s Buena Vista Home Entertainment, erases itself after two days of being opened. Disney began testing the DVDs last September in four cities, and in May, the company announced expansion into San Antonio, Orlando, Fla., Denver and Phoenix.
Some environmentalists have protested the disposable DVDs, objecting to the throwaway nature of the product and the lack of convenient recycling options, the San Antonio Express-News reports. Disney does recycle ez-Ds that consumers mail to GreenDisk Services, based in Columbia, Mo.
But overall consumers have reacted positively to the ez-Ds, said Alan Blaustein, CEO of New York-based ez-D maker Flexplay Technology. While the movies haven�t sold well in grocery stores, the disposable films have found a niche in convenience stores and pizza delivery chains, such as Papa Johns.
The major selling point for ez-Ds is convenience and no late fees, retailers say. More than 50 titles are available for as little as $5.99.
http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/News/nd0615043.htm
Posted by Craig at June 15, 2004 04:17 PM