Netflix is reportedly set to open brick-and-mortar retail shops referred to as Netflix House in the US, as a part of the corporate’s efforts to increase past its streaming enterprise. As per Bloomberg, these enjoyable areas would enable followers to store for merchandise, eat themed meals, and have interaction in actions primarily based on their favorite films and reveals, resembling an impediment course harking back to Squid Game. The streaming platform plans to construct the primary two websites in 2025 in the US, earlier than increasing to different areas — akin to how studios construct theme parks and experiences primarily based on their IP. For now, there is not a lot data on the shops, however the undertaking marks Netflix’s first everlasting expertise fixture — one centered on a number of IPs.
“We’ve seen how much fans love to immerse themselves in the world of our movies and TV shows, and we’ve been thinking a lot about how we take that to the next level,” Josh Simon, VP, Netflix Consumer Products informed Bloomberg. Netflix primarily sells merchandise by means of its on-line storefront, starting from T-shirts primarily based on the favored Stranger Things to a marionette of the long-nosed wood puppet boy from the stop-motion movie Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
Netflix has beforehand dabbled with profitable pop-up retailers, albeit for a restricted time, which is presumably how the corporate selected the idea for a everlasting one. Its hottest one was Stranger Things: The Experience, tossing guests inside a recreation of the Hawkins Lab with an immersive story and particular results. There was additionally a Bridgerton-inspired ballroom dance occasion and a Money Heist-themed escape room.
“Don’t think of it like Disneyland,” Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos mentioned on the Bloomberg Screentime Conference. “[It’s] something you might go to a couple of times a month, not just once every couple years.” Netflix House is poised to function ‘rotating installations’ starting from ticketed expertise sneakers to eating places boasting each quick meals and positive eating experiences — together with alcohol.
Earlier this yr, it launched Netflix Bites in Los Angeles, a pop-up eatery that served dishes primarily based on its unique reveals. The restaurant has since closed, but it surely would not be far-fetched to assume that it served as a testing floor for what the corporate has deliberate subsequent. The report additionally notes that Netflix sees this enterprise as a method to promote its IP, moderately than a income supply.
Netflix retired its 25-year-long operating DVD rental service in September, given the demand for bodily media slowly diminished as streaming got here to the forefront. For now, there is no phrase on whether or not Netflix House would promote any DVDs, which might be ironic given the streamer was successfully concerned in the closure of rental shops like Blockbuster.
A report from earlier this month steered that Netflix was planning to elevate its subscription costs as soon as the Hollywood actors’ strike ends, beginning with the US and Canada.
