Netflix to open branded retail stores for some reason::Netflix has decided to open a number of brick-and-mortar locations to sell items based on hit shows, offer dining and provide live events. There’s also going to be an obstacle course based on ‘Squid Game.’
No. Merch has direct profit that has a much larger margin than streaming. It’s just a new cash flow for them. Same reason patreon was offering merch and discord too.
You have an asset in land and physical goods to sell for money. It’s not complicated why they are pivoting to it.
The lesson of star wars was that merch is both profitable and is functionally marketing. It also might get around some of their contracts.
It’s probably both
Executives look at that and say “Porque no los dos?” Capitalists don’t just want money, they want all the money. If they can open up a revenue stream alongside selling merch, they will. If both are profitable, they will do both.