End of an Era: Maine Targets Make a Big Change You Might Not Have Even Realized

Target has had several changes recently from only allowing 10 items or less at self-checkouts, to eliminating the use of writing checks to combatting fraud by altering its return policy.

However, there is one change happening quietly across Target in the U.S., including a majority (if not all at this point) of stores in Maine. And some of you probably won't even be surprised or have even noticed.

You will no longer be able to find DVDs and Blu-Ray movies on the shelves.

That's right. If you walk into the entertainment section of one of the six Target stores in the Pine Tree State, the aisle dedicated to physical copies of movies is no more.

Recent trips I took to both South Portland and Topsham revealed that the movies have been replaced by vinyl records and books, and calls to other Target stores in Maine like Auburn and Bangor, echo those changes.

Apparently, Target confirmed to IGN in April 2024 that they were scaling back in-store DVDs and Blu-Ray movies.

"Based on our guests' shopping patterns and broader industry trends, we're transitioning the limited assortment of DVDs we carry in our stores to Target.com, where guests will continue to find thousands of titles," the spokesperson told IGN. "Moving forward, we'll offer select DVDs in stores when they are newly released or during key times throughout the year when they are more popular, like for gift giving during the holidays."

According to Collider, Target plans to be done with physical media in its stores, aside from special circumstances or events, by 2025.

The move follows in the footsteps of Best Buy eliminating movies from its store for 2024, according to the Verge.

But where Target says you can still buy them on its website, Best Buy has eliminated that option. So what's to say that isn't the route Target will also go in the future?

Honestly, it's not really surprising, considering the numerous streaming services offered. And let's be real, when's the last time you bought a physical movie or even placed one you already own into a DVD/Blu-Ray player?

But is this change a good one?

Can we really be dependent on using just streaming services, where the company owns the streaming rights and not you? If your favorite movie disappears from the service, too bad.

Just look at what HBO Max did when it pulled a ton of shows and movies from its service. Or what about the Indiana Jones movies being removed from Disney + and then later popping up on Paramount Plus.

And then there's some movies out there that have never even made it to a streaming service.

You can hope what you want to watch is on your service, but having the actual copy means you don't have to worry about someone taking it away.

Did you notice the change in the Maine stores? Or did you not even realize?

What do you think? Is it truly the end of an era? Will other places like Walmart follow the trend next?