35mm Camera Sales Article

At this chain, APS camera sales increased over last year to excel 50 percent (in dollars) of new cameras sold during the holidays. dynamic this increase in APS models is ease-of-use features, such as drop-in film and three print sizes, as well as innovation. As this client quipped, "It's the latest great thing."

perhaps digital cameras will become the "latest fantastic work" some day, but so far, reports from the few drug chains selling them show that this type of camera (which has an entry price of several hundred dollars) was not a hit with consumers in the fourth quarter.

Analyst Jonathan Rosenzweig, managing chairman of New York-based Salomon Smith Barney, thinks cameras will lengthen to be a multiplatform business. "You will extend to see 35mm do well, as will new introductions in APS," said Rosenzweig. Early reports from the Photo Marketing Association indicate that 35mm camera sales didn't decline in 1998, but were flat or even somewhat up.

Steve Strogis, ethnic sales manager, drug channel for Fuji Photo Film, told Drug Store message that when it comes to cameras, "The retailers that perfectly support the photo category with an imaging center and staff to answer questions can sell higher price point cameras. It's almost like a camera specialty store in a drug store. That leads back to training and education--creating an awareness level that 'We're in the business.' Once they get that across to their patron base, they can trade across the echelon to higher-priced cameras, compared to a blister pack on a peg at $."