This ad will be closed automatically in X seconds.

Dip for physical entertainment market ahead of Prime Day boost

Lack of big name music, gaming and film releases cited for 19% decline to June 30.

The physical entertainment market declined by 19% for the 12 weeks to June 30, with retailers feeling the effects of falling shopper numbers and a lack of big name gaming, film and music releases.

With Amazon Prime Day sales still to be accounted for and new consoles due later this year, the market continues to depend on gift-hunting shoppers and benefited from the £24 million worth of sales generated by Father’s Day this period, reported Kantar Worldpanel.

Online retailers performed well again this quarter, with Amazon accounting for 25% of all spend and growing share in each category.

The mint game market was impacted by fewer big name releases this quarter and sales declined by 14% compared with this time last year.

Online, Argos attracted more first-hand game shoppers this period while Amazon and specialist mint game stores have seen numbers fall.

The Nintendo Switch continues to outperform its rivals and sales of its games increased by 6% this period, including 40,000 buyers of the most popular title, Super Smash Bro Ultimate.

While Amazon continues to dominate the physical music market – accounting for 24% of sales – there are signs of a resurgence among independent stores which have increased sales by 14% this period. In a continuing trend, vinyl is increasingly popular with nostalgic shoppers and performed particularly well within these independent outlets with sales rising 9% compared with 5% across the category.

Going up against the hugely successful release of The Greatest Showman this time last year, fewer new titles this period accounted for £22 million of the physical video market’s losses. The most popular release this period, Aquaman, attracted 360,000 buyers – compared to The Greatest Showman’s 800,000 buyers.

Overall sales fell 28% as the market also felt the effects of HMV store closures, but 4k DVDs showed resilience and achieved 1% growth.

“Amazon and eBay are increasingly popular with shoppers wanting to get the latest releases without leaving their homes – particularly if a traditional retailer has disappeared from their local high street,” said Claire McClelland, consumer specialist at Kantar. “Amazon will be expecting this trend to continue as a third of shoppers planning to shop during its Amazon Prime Day were intending to buy physical entertainment, compared with 42% who had their eye on electronics.

“However, if last year is anything to go by, success for Amazon doesn’t inevitably mean bad news for the high street. People who bought something from the online giant during the week of Amazon Prime Day in 2018 spent 40% more on the high street than the average shopper during those days – demonstrating the value of those shoppers to bricks and mortar retailers as well.”

Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter.

MORE NEWS
RSCAlice+Olivia500x500
 
Brandgenuity has brought together alice + olivia and the Royal Shakespeare Company for the alice + olivia Fall 2025 collection, which was unveiled at NY Fashion Week....
LoungeflyCinderella500x500
 
The range includes a mix of mini backpacks, cross body bags, wallets, wristlets and bag charms, as well as jackets and hoodies - all featuring Loungefly's trademark flourishes....
TrevorCash500x500
 
Mad Beauty's Trevor Cash on prioritising innovation, preparation and engagement to pave the way for a successful year....
HelderLopes500x500
 
Outfit7's Helder Lopes talks expanding globally and creating opportunities by staying bold, continuing to innovate and taking creative risks....
GorgeousGeorgians500x500
 
West London’s Osterley Park and House is putting on Horrible Histories-inspired activities for families in an event that will continue for just over six months....
TomandJerry85500x500
 
The activity will kick off with products, experiences, TV programming and more, with a raft of licensees and partners getting involved....
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.