Canada

International Record Store Day 2015

It’s International Record Store Day and many independent retailers in Canada will be celebrating the event with sales and other promotions.

This is of course a great opportunity to find the vinyl you’ve always been looking for, or that rare CD that has yet to make it to iTunes. But you can also find memorabilia at some of these local stores like posters, hats, embroidered patches, etc. Or DVD/Blu-Rays featuring live concerts or music videos.

Click here for a listing of participating stores in Canada.

April 18th, 2015 Comments Off on International Record Store Day 2015 Consumer Information, Events, Music Industry, Music Technology Rob McIntyre

Redbox Canada Closing

Redbox Canada has decided to stop renting movies on February 13th, 2015 and will be turning their boxes off on March 5th, 2015.

“We were excited to bring our service here, but unfortunately, demand just didn’t meet our expectations. We will be focusing our attention on our U.S. business, where demand for physical media remains strong.”

Apparently most Canadian consumers have moved on to online movie renting from companies like iTunes, Cineplex or Cinemanow and I suspect more services like Amazon Instant Video will make their way into Canada shortly as streaming devices get cheaper.

Google’s Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player was recently promoted with $20 gift cards for Google Play and both Rogers/Shaw and Bell are now offering alternatives to Netflix to their subscribers with Showmi and CraveTV so the online movie rental market is heating up.

Unfortunately I liked picking up Blu-Rays at my local store at $2 a pop. And although discounts can be had on Tuesdays on Cineplex, I suspect I will be paying more for rentals again.

$4.99 appears to be the average price for standard definition rentals but i’m hoping more discounts will come our way, especially on the high definition rentals ; Those can be as expensive as $7.99 on some services.

I seriously doubt I will be renting high definition films at $7.99, especially older releases that I can view on my Hollywood Suite package on cable. And chances are I will simply wait to purchase individual blu-rays when they are discounted at Amazon.

February 5th, 2015 Comments Off on Redbox Canada Closing Consumer Information, Random Bump Rob McIntyre

Gift Card Offers At Target

It may be too early for the clearance sales at Target Canada stores but some are currently offering discounts on select iTunes gift cards until January 29th, 2015.

Participating stores will offer 10% discounts on $25, $50 and $100 denomination cards so consult your local flyer for details.

You will also notice that some select Real Canadian Superstores are offering a 10% discount of $25 and $50 iTunes cards until February 5th, 2015. Your local flyer should have details on this offer as well.

January 23rd, 2015 Comments Off on Gift Card Offers At Target Consumer Information, Events, Music Technology Rob McIntyre

Cyber Monday Sales

It’s Cyber Monday and here are some of the retailers with offers, for either the day or week :

December 1st, 2014 Comments Off on Cyber Monday Sales Consumer Information, Events Rob McIntyre

Black Friday Sales Now Active

The following have just published their Black Friday Sales :

You will also notice that the offers i’ve listed on yesterday’s blog entry are valid today and that some of the above mentioned offers include Cyber Monday discounts.

November 28th, 2014 Comments Off on Black Friday Sales Now Active Consumer Information, Events Rob McIntyre

More Early Black Friday Sales

Here are several retailers that decided to start their official Black Friday sales early :

Don’t forget to browse the offers listed on yesterday’s blog entry. Most of those will remain active until midnight tonight.

November 27th, 2014 Comments Off on More Early Black Friday Sales Consumer Information, Events Rob McIntyre