Movie retailer Zavvi has entered administration, a legal concept similar to bankruptcy, and has warned customers not to place new orders.
Zavvi was an entertainment retailer, similar to FYE, in the UK during the late 2000s, which shut down all of its physical stores. However, the brand stayed alive via a website which was well-respected by physical media collectors. Zavvi has long carried a large collection of Blu-rays and 4K movies, including sought after steelbooks. Unfortunately, the website appears to be on death’s door.
Zavvi has announced that it is entering administration. As a result, it will not be able to fulfill outstanding orders and preorders, and the company has told customers to speak with their banks to get their money back. Additionally, although the website remains active, the company is warning customers not to make any new purchases either.
Administration doesn’t mean that Zavvi will die forever. It’s a process that attempts to give companies a path back to sustainability. However, it remains to be seen if that will happen for Zavvi. If the company can’t get out of this, it will be a blow to physical media lovers. The options for purchasing new Blu-rays and steelbooks have shrunk radically over the last six years or so. Major retailers like Target and Best Buy no longer sell films in-store and enthusiast websites like Zavvi are now at risk of ceasing to exist.
Photo Illustration by Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.
