Third-Quarter Blu-ray Sales up Sharply in Europe

26 Oct, 2010 By: Erik Gruenwedel

Western European sales of Blu-ray Disc movies increased more than 67% the in the third quarter, compared with the same period last year, according to a new report.

Media Control GfK International said sales of combined DVD and Blu-ray titles in Europe and Japan increased 8.8% from the second quarter, but declined 3.8% year-over-year.

Leading European packaged media retail markets include Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and the Uninted Kingdom.

“We observe this quarter-to-quarter growth as a positive sign of recovery for the home entertainment retail markets and anticipate a strong fourth quarter will help offset year-to-date declines,” said Brad Hackley, president of Media Control GfK, USA.

DVD and Blu-ray Disc purchases in the United States slipped 8% in the first three quarters of the year to $6.5 billion, according to DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group.