First it was the independent video rental shops, then it was Blockbuster, and now Rogers Plus is closing its doors.
Rogers head office confirmed Wednesday that it will be closing its only location in New Westminster, at Columbia Square, on Jan. 15.
"Customer demand is changing, and it's a business decision based on that," said Leigh-Ann Popek, Rogers' media relations manager. "We are closing a few stores throughout the country. We're closing a few in B.C., including New Westminster."
Popek said the company is beginning to move its focus towards "anytime, anywhere content demand," meaning streaming video services.
"Our customers are looking to all of these platforms. They're not just going to the video store anymore. We've seen, in our own business, an increase in video on demand usage and Rogers On Demand Online usage, so it means our customers are doing more of that," she said.
Rogers offers cable TV and video on demand through cable boxes in Eastern Canada, but not in the West. Its Rogers On Demand Online service offers streaming TV episodes and movies across Canada.
The closure of Rogers Plus means only Joey's Video Stop on 12th Street remains for New West residents who want to rent a movie the old-fashioned way.
Owner Joey Le vowed after the closing of Blockbuster in September that he would remain open until "the neighbourhood no longer needed him."
The Columbia Square location, as with most Rogers Plus stores, currently employs about 10 people. Popek said the company plans to assist employees.
"Whenever we make a business decision that affects employees, it's obviously a tough decision. We're going to work with them through the transition. We are going to look at other opportunities. We're going to work with (human resources). They've been given more than two months' notice. From that angle of it, we're very concerned about the employees, and we're here to support them," she said.
