Movie Rentals Named As Good Value & Distraction In Tough Times
DALLAS, June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Consumers are planning to turn
to their home entertainment centers for low-cost, stress-busting
entertainment, according to a recent survey. The survey, conducted by
e-Rewards on behalf of Blockbuster Inc., examines consumers' plans for
entertainment spending during tough economic times in the U.S.
Eighty-eight (88) percent of those surveyed indicated they planned to
stay home more in an economic downturn. To stay entertained while feeling
the pinch of difficult financial times, 87 percent said they would use
their home entertainment center more.
"Consumers cut back in tough economic times, but they still want to be
entertained. In fact, maybe they need the distraction even more," said
Joyce Woodward, senior vice-president, rental film, Blockbuster Inc. "Rent
a movie, and for a couple hours you can relax and escape into a world
without pressures like gas price hikes and rising grocery bills."
More than three-quarters (76 percent) of those surveyed said watching
movies is a good way to get your mind off life's problems. Close to 80
percent (79 percent) indicated they feel renting movies is a good
entertainment value.
"Taking the whole family out for a night's entertainment is a strain on
many household budgets these days," said Woodward. "Renting a movie is a
low-cost, high-entertainment-value option that many families turn to as a
fun activity to do together."
Renting movies is one of several ways consumers said they will increase
use of their home entertainment center in a downturn. According to the
Blockbuster survey, three of the top five entertainment activities
consumers are most likely to continue involve electronic media: watching
TV, renting movies and playing video games. The other activities most
frequently named as standbys in tough economic times were entertaining at
home and grilling in the backyard.
In contrast, survey respondents named entertainment activities outside
the home as the most likely candidates for budget cutbacks. The top five
activities named were eating out, attending entertainment events like
concerts and plays, taking vacations, seeing movies in the theater and
going to the mall.
The above survey results are from an April 2008 survey conducted by
e-Rewards on behalf of Blockbuster Inc. Those who participated were
consumers indicating they believe the U.S. economy is currently in or is
headed into a downturn and that they plan to cut back on expenses as a
result.
About Blockbuster
Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI, BBI.B) is a leading global provider of
in-home movie and game entertainment, with more than 7,700 stores
throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company may be
accessed worldwide at http://www.blockbuster.com.
SOURCE Blockbuster Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.blockbuster.com
CONTACT:
Tami Cannizzaro of Blockbuster Inc.,
+1-214-854-3190
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