No blue-light special at Kmart for Blu-ray

The nations declining discount retailer has decided to not carry Blu-ray players, citing the price. They say that they aren't choosing sides and that no one's bought an end-cap, but they feel that Blu-ray players are more focused on home theater enthusiasts and they recognize that those people don't shop for the latest HT gear at Kmart. We don't get into a Kmart much, but the last time we checked the only HD movie gear they had on the shelves was an Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive hidden amongst the rest of the 360 accessories.

Update: Kmart reaffirms this to High-Def Digest saying that "Kmart intends to support both the HD DVD and Blu-ray platforms, and has no plans to support either platform exclusively." We should've also mentioned that PS3s can be found on Kmart's shelves.

[Randy Gentry @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:11AM]

True.

[TrentD @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:19AM]

Translation - KMart is now HD DVD exclusive.

If you weren't so busy downplaying the news, you'd realize that K-Mart owns Sears (even though they kept the Sears Holdings name), and that this could have repercussions on Sears' shelves come the holidays.

[TrentD @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:19AM]

My comments are directed at the blogger, not you, Randy, by the way.

[Concura @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:36AM]

i don't shop at Kmart, and i rarely go to Sears

[aaron @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:38AM]

Yeah I don't know why engadget bloggers are so...stupid.

They love apple, which is a high priced, closed system that frankly, is far inferior to anything else.

Same with Blu-ray. Sony is protecting itself with blu-ray (no support for ihd aka streaming) and not looking out for the consumer. Yet Engadget has a boner for them...

I really think that they get paid from these entities...otherwise they're just plain uneducated.

[Randy Gentry @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:52AM]

Unless Martha Stewart did electronics I would not think of K-Mart as a source for purchase. Sears has a better chance for selling electronics but I do still think of tools when I think of Sears.

[C Mulvaney @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:58AM]

Correction... KMart doesn't own Sears, its the other way around. Sears owns KMart in hopes of saving a dieing business and to grow their own market share.

Also, it has nothing to do with exclusive sales to HD DVD. It was simply stated within the post. Blu-Ray players are to expensive for them to be sold in any KMart which is primarily focused on lower income families. The only KMart's left within my State are located in poor neighborhoods. Also being that Sears is the parent company, Sears sales both Blu-Ray and HD DVD and has not been exclusive to either one.

[TrentD @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:43AM]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/kmart_sears.html

I have proof for mine - K-Mart bought Sears, and renamed the entity under the Sears brand. Do you have proof for your claim? Didn't think so.

[Temple @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:49AM]

They still carry PS3s (which are by far used to play Blu-ray movies more then any other player), they also still sell Blu-ray movies.

Similar to Targets blu-ray exclusivity (they don't sell players but still sell HD-DVDs).

Regardless, this format war is incredibly stupid.

[chefgon_ign @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:50AM]

@Trent:

Yes, you are technically correct, but it was really more of a merger than a buyout. I think they agreed to have Kmart be the purchaser because it would be cheaper.

The truth of it is, Kmart has adopted all of Sear's policies, their name, their credit card, their executives, and their headquarters in Texas (Kmart's was in Michigan).

So all I'm saying is, regardless of who-bought-who, Kmart's actions have little to no effect on Sears stores. Even if the company is technically the former Kmart Corporation, the Kmart stores are no longer their priority.

[david @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:13PM]

I tend to agree with the K-Mart execs on this. K-Mart shoppers don't go there to spend $500 on any HT equipment. They attract people looking for a $27 DVD player, or a 13" TV, or socks. Sears has a large Blu-Ray endcap at most of their stores.

[Paul @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:22AM]

So is this just another sign that all of these LOW LOW priced $100 HD DVD players are starting to make an impact on the hardware side of the HD DVD vs. Blu Ray war??? Why is the Blu Ray camp not price matching HD DVD players to at least keep up with the competition?? I really just want A format to win and at this point Im just getting sick of the whole war to the point where I dont want either one.

[Jimmy @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:37AM]

Hey guys,

High Def Digest is reporting that this is not true. Unfortunately I have not seen an official press release to back this up but here is the quote and the link.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Kmart/Kmart:_Were_Purple/1137

In a statement released late Thursday, Kmart VP Jonathan Magasanik said the following:

There have been numerous statements in the media today, attributed to Toshiba, indicating exclusive support for the HD DVD format in Kmart stores. These statements are false. Kmart intends to support both the HD DVD and Blu-ray platforms, and has no plans to support either platform exclusively.

[Ben @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:38AM]

Our post specifically says that they aren't exclusive. We are simply pointing out the fact that you won't see discounted Blu-ray players on the shelves at Kmart.

[FreeRange @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:56AM]

To say a company is HD-DVD exclusive would be to say they will only carry HD-DVD movies. K-Mart might only be carrying the hardware for one platform but will continue to "support," or sell, the content for both platforms. And I believe I read that K-Mart will continue to sell the PS3, just to be clear on that. That said, the last time I was in a K-Mart was Black Friday last year when I picked up GTA for my PSP for $15, I want to say.

[Jimmy @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:21AM]

Ben,

Sorry I was not more specific. I have no problem with your post. My comment was directed primarily at other peoples comments. Such as TrentD who said "Translation - KMart is now HD DVD exclusive."

[TrentD @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:44AM]

My mistake - I had read elsewhere that this was an exclusive agreement. Can't edit my post, so there's nothing I can do about it at this point.

[lfchanin @ Nov 2nd 2007 2:01PM]

The High Def Digest article does not quote a source for this " denial statement". However, it appears to be reporting a statement provided by an anonymous Blu-ray insider who posts on AV Sciences forums. When specifically asked whether K-Mart would be stocking standalone Blu-ray players the insider said he didn't know.

Of course, Ben's article doesn't quote a source either, but his point makes perfect sense. K-Mart doesn't have to have an official stated exclusive position regarding the competing formats, but until player pricing accommodates their targeted demographic it is not likely that they would be stocking Blu-ray standalone players.

Whether or not K-Mart eventually makes an offical statement regarding exclusivity is irrelavent if its not stocking Blu-ray standalone players for target market reasons.

[herculez_87 @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:06AM]

oh wow, Endgadget, doesn't like HD-DVD at all, blu-ray fanboys?

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:08PM]

Considering that Blu-Ray is killing HDDVD... I'd say so.

[Greg @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:15AM]

Too bad that story has been de-bunked as "false" by K-Mart themselves

[Ben @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:53AM]

Too bad you didn't read the post.
I never said they were exclusive, I simply said you won't see a $500 stand alone player on the shelves of a Kmart.

[Jacob @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:33AM]

This makes sense. People who go to KMart are there because of their cheap clothes and home goods. They're not there to buy high-end electronic gear. I don't even think KMart sells HD TVs, though I could be wrong.

[Sy @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:38AM]

Ben, you really do need to research and proofread your posts thoroughly.

[K-B @ Nov 2nd 2007 4:01PM]

Hey I have an Idea, everyone that is complaining about the posts here, don't read them. Go somewhere else, do us all a favor. I would really like to hear anyones argument against blu-ray. Give me one thing that it can't do or that it lacks over hd-dvd other than price.

[Sy @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:39AM]

K-mart do carry $499 PS3s and will probably carry the $399 model. Both of them are Blu-ray players. So you are wrong again.

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_9990000022243811P?vName=Gifts&keyword=playstation+3

[Ben @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:41AM]

We're not talking about kmart.com, take a picture of a stand alone player on the shelf and I'll write a post about how wrong I was.

[Sy @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:47AM]

Where does it say ANYTHING about stand alone players in your post? Once again, proofread your posts. Its funny you mentioned the xbox360 HD DVD drive add-on but failed to mention the PS3. Last time I checked, the add-on was not considered a stand alone.

[chefgon_ign @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:50AM]

We actually have a pretty big "Super Kmart" in our area that has a much nicer electronics department than the local Sears or Target (not sure about Wal Mart).

Currently they are carrying only HD-DVD players, but only Blu-Ray movies. Don't ask me why, its a bit ridiculous, but thats whats on the shelves.

As for Sears (who is owned by the same parent company), they carry both, but they have big Blu-Ray advertisements running all over the place, even downstairs in the middle of the clothing department.

[apeguero @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:53AM]

Not good people. BR is being labeled as expensive in comparison to HD-DVD. Not good. The final winner of this battle is the one that can get the most users and I'm afraid HD-DVD might have an advantage here with the sub $100 player. I might just buy one for the hell of it.

[Sy @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:56AM]

Good luck with that. If you are not in line before 8 AM at Walmart today, you are not getting one. Supplies for VERY limited thus it will have very little impact on the format war. Oh ...its approaching 9 AM here on the west coast Sorry, better luck next time.

[herculez_87 @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:11PM]

or being a blu-gay fanboy for the sake of "sony".

[Eric @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:23PM]

It's amazing how K-Mart, which used to cast themselves as the Penny's of the 90s, never catch on to the fact that you don't get shoppers with faux values by selling crap. This is simply another example of that thought process. Lowest price is not always the best price.

[Galley @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:40PM]

K-Mart? Are they still in business?

[zebcarlson2007 @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:52PM]

You know why they have blue light specials?


Because they couldnt have red light specials, lol.

[thathoustonguy @ Nov 2nd 2007 2:19PM]

I am the Dept. Manager in electronics at my local Kmart.

We have Blu-ray and HD-DVD

we have a display A3 HD-DVD player hoked up to out 50" Plasma right now, but the only movie we have in HD is transformers.

we have 80GB bundles and 60 GB PS3's, but we have Meet the robinsons, surfs up, spider man 3, and Hostel 2 in Blu-ray.

as of 2 weeks ago, all we had of that was the PS3's. Slowly but surely we are getting stock of both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray

[paul.davis @ Nov 2nd 2007 3:11PM]

Yeah.. but KMart would be the last place I would want to buy a Plasma/DLP from. Lets keep all of the crappy lower end stuff somewhere.. OH LOOK.. KMART!!

www.amazon.com
Free shipping usually on DLP/Plasma/LCD at good prices.

Oh.. you do have 1 or 2 Sony's.. I suppose if my grandmother needs something it would do. I do everything I can to keep my wife out of KMart. Just visit Wal-Mart, they sell crappy stuff too.. but if it breaks within a year they will take it back.

[thathoustonguy @ Nov 2nd 2007 5:21PM]

im not trying to say we are the best place to buy electronics, I was just clearning up what HD stuff we carry...

if it wasnt for my discount, I would go to Best buy to buy everything...

I know we arnt the best store out there, but we arnt the worst

[paul.davis @ Nov 2nd 2007 3:04PM]

K-Mart tends to go towards the poor people that are too poor to shop at WalMart. Why would they need that crap in the store. Here is the break down of the quality of women and shopping centers:

Pamida = F+
K-Mart = D-F
Target = C-D
Walmart = C-F
Sams Club = B-C
Toys 'R Us = A "If u like kiddies... u sicko"

Selling a Blu-Ray player to a poor person is like giving hope to an AIDS ridden midget. WOW.. TGIF!

[lfchanin @ Nov 2nd 2007 3:31PM]

Hi,

So currently your store doesn't stock standalone Blu-ray players, just PS3 gaming consoles?

Do you know whether there are any upcoming plans to to stock Blu-ray standalone players?

Thanks.

[lfchanin @ Nov 2nd 2007 5:49PM]

Here's a couple of similiar articles to Ben's by Jim Goldman of CNBC supporting Ben's position.

Blu-ray: Picture Gets Dimmer for Entertainment Format
http://www.cnbc.com/id/21581845/site/14081545/

In it Jim says:

"K-Mart has already decided not to sell Blu-ray players at all because of the affordability chasm between the two."

As a result of the above article Jim, like Ben, received a lot of challenging responses. In the following article Jim addressing the K-Mart exclusivity issue and stocking Blu-ray standalone players.

Blu-ray Vs. HD DVD Battle Turns Into Your Email "War"
http://www.cnbc.com/id/21598441

Here's a relevant excerpt:

""Konbei" writes that I'm mistaken that Kmart will exclusively sell HD DVDs, saying they "came out today and said they are not exclusive." I spoke with the company this morning for clarification: The company has decided to push HD DVD players this holiday shopping season, but will continue to sell Sony's PS3 with a Blu-ray player inside. As far as offering a standalone Blu-ray player on Kmart store shelves? Nope. At least not yet. If/when prices for Blu-ray come down Kmart may offer a standalone unit. But Kmart, the company tells me, is looking for value for its customers and right now, that means HD DVD."

[glocks out @ Nov 2nd 2007 6:02PM]

What a terrible article. The betanews article didn't quote K-Mart, yet Engadget implies K-Mart did announce why they chose this. The Betanews article also didn't say anything about "recognizing" home theater enthusiasts didn't shop at that retailer.

But to make this Engadget article even stupider is quoting another article from Highdefdigest which actually quotes K-Mart and it contradicts the first bit. yet the enlightened Engadget blogger had the balls to say "Kmart reaffirms" the first bit when they absolutely denied it.

This has got to be the worst article I've ever seen on here.

[Ben @ Nov 2nd 2007 6:15PM]

We were referencing the Betanews article, we didn't say it was a quote. We provided a link to the betanews story so you could read it for yourself.

We stated accurately that Kmart isn't going to carry a stand alone Blu-ray player, which HighDefDigest confirms.

As for the statement about HT enthusiasts, we'll have to take betanews' word for it, since they didn't mention it in the HiDefDigest post.

If you see a stand alone Blu-ray player on a Kmart shelf let us know, we'd love to post about it.

[hothotdisco @ Nov 4th 2007 3:32PM]

Kmart still exists? lol.....all the Kmarts shut down in Canada a long time ago. As in other words; Kmart blows and we shouldn't care about which format they support.

[geo @ Dec 9th 2007 8:47PM]

TrentD is correct! Sears was bought by Kmart with the help of Eddie Lampert for $11 billion. And for chefgon_ign Kmart headquarters were located in Troy, Michigan; Sears is located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. And after the merger, Kmart move to Hoffman Estates. But who cares both companies suck! lol