Jim Keyes, chief executive officer at Blockbuster, is one of those "throw it against the wall and see if it sticks" guys.
While many were left scratching their heads over his offer to buy Circuit City and his assertion that the combination of the two companies would result in a "game-changing retail concept with a sustainable competitive advantage," there's no doubt that Mr. Keyes is focused on finding some way to keep Blockbuster relevant in the consumer marketplace.
A piece in The Dallas Morning News outlines a number of concepts Blockbuster is testing to establish a deeper connection with its customers. Among the concepts in test are stores:
- That open at 6 a.m. to give consumers on the way to work the option of dropping off or picking up movies or games at a more convenient time.
- Equipped with coffee bars and fountain drink dispensers. One location across from Southern Methodist University includes an old-fashion soda counter down to the swiveling chrome stools and checkerboard floor.
- Focused on kids with a dedicated play area and merchandise including toys, books and t-shirts to go with Blockbuster's usual product selection.
- That sell entertainment and education technology (the Circuit City tie-in).
"I'm a big believer of the physical relevance of a store. People like to shop, whether it's in a Neiman Marcus or a Blockbuster," Mr. Keyes told The Dallas Morning News. "We need to change our stores to become a destination for entertainment."
Discussion Questions: What concepts being tested by Blockbuster do you think are most promising? What do you think of Jim Keyes' approach to keeping Blockbuster relevant? Are there other concepts that you think the chain should be pursuing?