Virgin Megastore to close on Sunset in Hollywood- Page 2

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 11:44am

The biggest selling CD of 2007 is Josh Groban's Xmas album. THAT tells you who is still buying CDs.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 12:27pm

And I believe that CDs (aka "hard copies") will be available via the Internet for ten years or so, still. Because of that "adult contemporary" audience you speak of, Joe. It's still a profit-making business.

But the tricky part is that the same people who are "scared of the World Wide Web" are many of the folks who still want "hard copy" CDs.

If the brick-and-mortar stores can't make a profit, however, they will close regardless of any niche audiences.

That leaves people with no choice but to buy their music on line. And eventually, when they're comfortable enough with using computers, they too will switch over (slowly) to downloads.

It's going to take about a decade for that to happen, because human behavior transitions are MUCH slower than technological ones.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 12:51pm

Yeah, the Virgin Megastore in Chicago closed this year, which was not a horrible loss. It was the most overpriced music/video store in the city. I'm sure they expected better sales with touists due to its location in the middle of the Magnificent Mile, but with Borders next to Water Tower and on State Street next to Wicked and Macy's, Virgin didn't stand a chance unless they dropped their prices drastically. Even their discounted liquidation sale prior to closing, the sale price was about the same as Amazon, if not more.

I was excited about the various prospects to replace the old Virgin location hoping Best Buy would take the spot in a much-needed central location (especially after the closure of CompUSA at Water Tower) or even a Circuit City *shudder*, but alas, it will be a Forever 21. Yuck.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 2:05pm

Aww...many good memories of the Virgin Store on Sunset. Some of the best celebrity sightings the city has to offer, too.

That said, I think its the curse of Schwabs. Really tacky that they tore that landmark down and not even so much as ackowledged it in the new design or layout.

Actually, they should probably replace Virgin with a Schwabs Pharmacy. It would probably do well. Either that or Lemmle should expand its theatres.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 2:19pm

What about the Virgin Megastore at Downtown Disney in Orlando? I heard it may be replaced with an Apple store (ie iPods).

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 2:21pm

Oh Brave Robin -I bet you're right. And I could totally see Virgin on Sunset being replaced by an Apple Store as well. Sign of the times!

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 3:10pm

I'm finding myself really disturbed by all these store closings, largely because I'm having a hard time finding stuff on itunes that I want to get, their stock isn't as comprehensive as I'd like. I'm relatively new to the whole ipod experience. Can I really only get music through the Itunes store, or can I download from other sources and get them onto my ipod?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 3:15pm

Oh, no Roscoe - you can upload any saved mp3 file into itunes, not just those purchased from the istore.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 6:01pm

Unless you want the most humongous IHOP imanginable, it ain't going into Virgins space

Alledgedly IHOP is to go into the old Barcode site next door

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 6:07pm

It could be IMOP.

International Mansion of Pancakes

[winston89]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 12:02am

I could see an apple store go into the Times Square virgin space if the store does close. But, They spent SO much money on " The Cube" on fifth I don't know if they are going to open another one.

But, I relly don't see an Ihop going there.

But, speaking of Apple stores. I just think that the cube goes well with the whole fashon angel to fifth avenue