Many struggling cinemas depend on sales of pricey food and drink as ticket revenue mainly goes to film studios. But does banning outside supplies really add up, asks Stuart Heritage
Unfortunately they’re trapped. If they lowered the price of food and raised the price of admission to compensate people wouldn’t notice. In fact, they wouldn’t even make it to the food to see, they’d just know that one cinema has $10 admission and the other has $20.
They could advertise that they have lower concession cost to attract people, but there would be enough people thinking “I’ll just go to the cheap one and bring my own food/not buy food.” that momentum wouldn’t move into their favor.
Keep in mind that you have fancy media devices at home. Cinema served a purpose that may not be as necessary now. That said, cinemas have always made money on food and not on tickets. It will die, but it’s not like they are stupid people suddenly for doing this.
Cinemas: our business model sucks so much we have to sell overpriced food!
So? Just die already. Bye.
Unfortunately they’re trapped. If they lowered the price of food and raised the price of admission to compensate people wouldn’t notice. In fact, they wouldn’t even make it to the food to see, they’d just know that one cinema has $10 admission and the other has $20.
They could advertise that they have lower concession cost to attract people, but there would be enough people thinking “I’ll just go to the cheap one and bring my own food/not buy food.” that momentum wouldn’t move into their favor.
That sounds like the invisible hand of the market weeding out failing competitors.
Keep in mind that you have fancy media devices at home. Cinema served a purpose that may not be as necessary now. That said, cinemas have always made money on food and not on tickets. It will die, but it’s not like they are stupid people suddenly for doing this.
Cinemas made all their money on tickets before TV.
Then TV came along, then ridiculously predatory movie distribution contracts, then the Internet.
Their response? Apparently. Using the police to enforce their terms of service regarding food sales.
What’s next; calling the police when you don’t watch the advertisements?
The police were called for trespass after the patron(s) refused to leave for violating the rules. There’s a difference.
Hanging around in the foyer to try and argue the point is not leaving.
Obviously it was excessive, but they’re still within their rights to have someone removed.
That’s the only bit that matters.
I have a feeling you or a member of your family owns a struggling (dare I say failing) theater.
LOL I don’t even go anymore. It’s a washed up format.