NCR Corp. says it will deploy its Blockbuster Express DVD-rental kiosk in Publix Super Markets, which it says is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States.
According to a news release from NCR, installation in most Florida Publix stores will be complete by Nov. 1, and rollouts have begun in select Publix stores in Atlanta, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.
As part of the agreement, NCR also will convert MovieCube rental kiosks to Blockbuster Express machines in 300 Publix stores. NCR acquired the MovieCube brand in its buyout of TNR Entertainment in April.
Maria Brous, director of media and community relations for Publix Super Markets, says the Blockbuster Express rollout is part of the brand's commitment to providing its customers with value and convenience:
At Publix, we strive to continuously offer our customers value and service. By partnering with NCR, we are offering our customers the convenience of DVD rentals as part of their traditional shopping experience. The initial feedback we have received from our customers is that they enjoy the wide selection of movies, each of the transaction and the time-saving aspect of one-stop shopping. DVD movie rentals at Publix are just another way we meet the changing needs of our customers.
NCR has said it will invest up to $60 million in its DVD-rental operations in 2009 and expects to deploy more than 2,500 DVD-rental kiosks this year.
