Video cassettes struggling with decreasing demand

Nearly 85 percent of the movies Super Target in Lawrence stocks are on DVDs. Because of low demand, the only VHS movies the store offers are videos for children. Customers can buy a copy of Fat Albert on VHS for only $10. Or they can pick up the DVD for just $3.75 more.

One reason Target continues to sell VCRs and VHS tapes is that a small number of Americans have yet to switch to DVDs. Matt Walker, Target electronic salesman, said VHS requests were minimal.

Every once in a while someone will come in looking for a VCR," Walker said. "But mostly everyone's asking for DVD players. Most of the VHS that we sell are the children's ones."

Blockbuster Video in Lawrence still rents out VHS tapes at both its Lawrence locations. But they will be around only for a limited time. At the end of the year, VHS tapes will be completely gone.

For a memory aid on VCRs and VHS tapes see Wikipedia's definition of VHS.