Value to distributors of wholesale sales of video product to retail (sell-through) and rental outlets, 1990–2008

The value of wholesale video distribution has grown by 215 per cent since 1999. After peaking at $1,347.4 million in 2007, it fell by 14 per cent in 2008 to $1,157.5 million.

DVD sales to rental and retail outlets experienced year-on-year growth until 2008 when each market fell 15-16 per cent. In contrast, the value of other formats increased in 2008 due to the growing popularity of Blu-ray, although this emerging format still contributes a comparatively small proportion of combined wholesale sales.

DVD retail remains the most lucrative market for video distributors, with sales growing from $207 million in 2001 to $944.3 million in 2008.

In 2008, sales to retail outlets accounted for 84.2 per cent of all wholesale video sales, while sales to rental outlets made up 15.8 per cent. This contrasts strongly to 1990 when the proportions were 24 per cent to retail and 76 per cent to rental.

Value of wholesale sales of video product
… to retail outlets	… to rental stores

Source: Australian Visual Software Distributors Association (AVSDA).

Notes:
Figures may not total exactly due to rounding.
1. From 1990 to 2005, this category comprised only the VHS format. In 2006, it was expanded to include the emerging digital formats UMD, Blu-ray and HD Combined.
2. Breakdown of DVD sales to retail and rental outlets for 1999 and 2000 are Australian Film Commission estimates; total DVD sales were worth $18.4m in 1999 and $69.6m in 2000.