In a move that underscores the growing dominance of streaming services, retail giant Target has announced plans to phase out DVDs and Blu-rays from its stores by 2025. The company, known for its wide selection of products ranging from groceries to electronics, will only offer these physical media formats at designated times of the year and for limited-time releases. Rumors of Target’s impending decision began circulating last week, fueled by social media posts and reports from industry insiders. A Target spokesperson confirmed the news, indicating that the company will discontinue sales of DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K Blu-rays by 2025. This announcement comes on the heels of Best Buy’s similar move in October 2023, further highlighting the decline of physical media sales in the face of streaming’s growing popularity. The convenience and affordability of streaming services, coupled with the constant increase in subscription prices, have made the idea of owning physical copies of movies and TV shows less appealing to consumers. Additionally, the fragmented nature of streaming content, with different services offering different selections, has further eroded the value proposition of physical media. While Amazon remains a major supplier of DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K Blu-rays, the options for browsing and purchasing physical media in-person are dwindling. This trend has been less pronounced in the United Kingdom, where supermarkets and specialized retailers continue to stock physical discs alongside streaming options. However, the writing is clearly on the wall for physical media, as the digital revolution continues to reshape the way we consume entertainment.
Target to Phase Out DVDs and Blu-rays by 2025
