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I’m not sure why companies like The Sharper Image and Brookstone ever got into the business of rebranding technology with their name or why they would think that the average consumer would assume quality from their name, but I suspect they’re reconsidering those thoughts as BusinessWeek is reporting that The Sharper Image has filed for bankruptcy protection and is planning on shuttering 90 of their 184 stores.

Sign of the times - hard retail market - or destiny?  I’ll let you decide.  Personally I think that gadget gifts are better received when they have a recognizable name, and if it weren’t for the success of Osim and their acquisition attempts for Brookstone, I believe that they wouldn’t be far behind.  Unfortunately, with both of these gadget companies changing, companies like Best Buy are bound to become “more popular” which means that the consumer will have fewer choices for whatever tech gadget they choose to buy.

~geek

I should have known it would never last, but I was very optimistic when I purchased an HD-DVD player from Wal-Mart last year for the outstanding price of $99.99.  I justified it by saying “Microsoft is behind this,” and thinking that worst case I could play regular DVDs on it, too.  Unfortunately, I believe that the final nail has been placed against the pine top of HD-DVD’s coffin.

Wal-Mart has officially announced that they will no longer stock or sell HD-DVD media by June.  Their HD offering will continue to support the increasingly popular Blu-Ray, and they’re not alone.  Netflix and Best Buy are also pulling HD-DVD from their offering, effectively ending any chance the format had of success.  So, if the consumer hasn’t spoken, the retailers have.  They’ve picked their format and like it or not the consumer is going to have to suffer the consequences.

As always, I would love to know your thoughts.

~geek