In mourning

Sent Jaime to our local Blockbuster video store on Friday night to get something good to watch on TV, to ease my boredom after having spent all day vegetating on the couch with a headache and a sore throat. To my dismay he came back empty handed. Apparently Blockbuster are closing down! Not just our local store, but all 105 branches in the Spanish peninsula! The American chain is quoting the reduction in rentals caused by an increase in video piracy as the reason, (it has risen from 5% to 60% in the last three years in Spain). The company was said to have lost over 5 million euros in 2004.

Everytime I went into the store, which was at least once a week, all the latest DVD's were out and I would have to wait until the following week. I don't recall ever entering the store and having my pick of the bunch! Maybe this is just an excuse for Blockbuster to pull out of Spain? Or maybe there is some truth in it? I mean in Yorkshire I wouldn't have a clue where to go to by pirated DVDs or CDs but here in Spain, up until recently, you would trip over blanket upon blanket of burnt films while walking down a 10 metre stretch of road.

I suppose I will just have to join the local videoclub, at least I will be doing my part to keep small businesses up and running, but instead of waiting a week to see that new release, I may just end up waiting months! I hate to admit it but American superchains just make life that little bit easier sometimes!