I've said this over and over (not on HN, though)... Blockbuster would have survived if they leaned into the recommendations business. People want to go somewhere to look at whatever it is they're looking at, and find something novel and interesting.

It is so much more pleasant to go somewhere, and feel like you're being served a good selection of recommendations, new and old. Even better if you can talk to someone at the store and get their feedback and ideas. But in Blockbusters' end days, all they hired were teenagers not even old enough to rent from their Mature section.

There was no way they were going to compete with digital streaming services on sheer volume. But at the time of its collapse, every time I would step inside a Blockbuster - all I would see is non-movie related stuff being peddled at me. Posters, plush, popcorn, toys, etc.

The "new releases" movies were in the back, the best quality films hard to find, jumbled in with all the rest. The rest of the store just seemed to be wasted space. I always thought if they dedicated less space to the new releases and spent more time curating valuable films from all eras, they'd make a return to form.. especially with their name.

Movie and gaming deals ruined Blockbuster. And at the end, their $15/month ala carte plan just put them in the hole. They had such a good price before.. it was something like $3/night to rent. Then they raised the price to $7/2 night. It seems about the same price but no one really wants to rent it for 2 nights and the $7 priced most of the movie-goers out of the market. Then they tried the ala carte "Silver" or "Platinum" plan or whatever it was (it was probably a regional thing).

It's the same principle here with B&N.