Blockbuster and Video Ezy video stores will soon offer a round-the-clock service through franchisees with stand-alone DVD rental kiosks outside stores or at sites nearby.
Parent company Franchise Entertainment Group has invested $2 million to order 1000 kiosks which, if deployed quickly, would make the group the biggest kiosk player in the Australian market several years after newer rivals introduced the first DVD vending machines.
The Australian understands FEG also is in talks with grocery wholesaler Metcash to launch convenience shops inside video stores under the Lucky7 banner in a bid for new revenue streams.
FEG managing director Paul Uniacke would not comment on the grocery strategy but estimated there were 400 kiosks already in the market, most of them operated by RedRoom DVD or the Hoyts-owned Oovie brand. Read more.