I understand the power of the free marketplace. People will vehemently defend Blockbuster's homogenization of the movie rental industry. Blockbuster's deep pockets and aggressive business plan got them to where they are today. They're a success story. Poking through congested parking lots in strip malls spanning Fresno to Hackensack, consumers aren't exactly demanding diversity.
High volume means lower prices, logistical convenience and longer rental times.
Driving into a Portland Blockbuster last week, I ran short on luck. The store had been closed for almost an hour. Indeed, it was late. I was flagged down by gleaming fluorescent indoor lights pouring out into the parking lot. Certainly it wasn't a cost-saving measure.