Storeowner profile
What is/was the name of your video store?
Bala Video Centre
Where was the store located?
Bala, Other (United Kingdom)
When did you open/buy this store?
1996
In your own words, please tell the story of how you got involved in the video retail
industry. When did you open your first video store? Why did you decide to do so?
My family decided to buy an existing video library to supplement an existing family business. This store had gone downhill quite dramatically, so the price was right! We renovated the store and turned it around in a matter of weeks, and then opened a second store locally to satisfy demand to a wider area.
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features, and why did you choose to design it this way?
App. 1000 sq feet, well lit, red and white colour theme, large display window. It was designed to be open and inviting to customers and to maximise rental potential throughout
What were your customers like? What particularly memorable customers
or events do you remember?
Customers were predominantly Welsh, but we had one who lived as a native american during the summer, complete with tepee in the back garden! She had also had a sex change, and was the most ruggedly built woman I have ever seen
What were your employees like? What qualifications or expertise did
you look for in an employee?
What video formats did your store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store? How did this selection change over time?
VHS only at that time
In addition to mainstream Hollywood movies, what other kinds of videotapes
(for example children's, exercise, or X-rated) did your store rent/sell? Where were
these videos found in the store, and how important were they to your business?
Large childrens section, which was an important part of the business. Adult movies also rented well, but only when the guys were working, the customers wouldn't rent them when mom was there!
What other services/products did you offer besides the rental or sale of
programs? Did this change over time?
Accessories, blank tapes, home video duplication, car stereos and installation
Did you ever rent VCRs or other hardware to your customers? If so,
how important were hardware rentals to your business?
no
During the period that you worked in video retail, what changes did you see
taking place in the industry as a whole?
Are you still in the video retail business? If so, please describe your current
involvement in the video industry.
After selling Bala Video Centre, I spent 10 years in other industries before opening "The Video Shop" in Ruabon, Wrexham, North Wales. We now rent vhs and dvd and take more money in confectionary sales than in dvd rental!