Business

Why are movie theater snacks so expensive? on August 12, 2023 at 4:25 pm Business News | The Hill

Published

1 year ago

August 13, 2023

(NEXSTAR) – Whether you’re going to the movies to love, cry, or care, as Nicole Kidman once said in her now-iconic advertising campaign, there’s a pretty good chance you’re also going for the popcorn and candy. The price tag on your snacks may make you cry, though.

It’s a common gripe about movie theaters – the food and drinks are expensive.

Take a box of Dots at Marcus Theatres, for example. They’re listed at $4.99 on the chain’s online ordering system. A box of Cookie Dough Bites at an AMC Theatres location in Chicago sells for $5.69 if you order online. The same boxes of either candy are listed as $1.24 at Walmart.

A popcorn will run you anywhere between $7.65 and $10.29 between the two theaters. Meanwhile, you can buy a box of six bags of AMC Theatres branded microwave popcorn for less than $5 at Walmart.

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So why do movie theater concessions cost you so much?

There are a number of factors that can influence the prices of candy, popcorn, and pickles (yes, pickles) at movie theaters. One of the most apparent is competition.

Once you’re in the movie theater, your only option for food and drinks is the concessions or an on-site kitchen. Without anyone to compete with (besides smuggled snacks), the concession stand can charge whatever they’d like.

There’s also inflation. We’ve all felt the weight of rising costs at grocery stores and restaurants. The same is true for movie theaters.

During an earnings call in May, chairman and CEO Adam Aron said brand-name candy companies have been charging AMC up to 33% more for products in response to supply chain challenges, The Takeout reports. To combat the higher prices at the concession stands, AMC announced earlier it would be releasing its own candy to sell in its theaters.

Inflation has also impacted theater tickets, which can have an impact on concession costs.

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Admission to movies (as well as theaters and concerts) is up 6% between June 2022 and June 2023, according to the Labor Department’s latest Consumer Price Index. Prices are up an average of almost $4.75 over the last 20 years.

The fact that movie tickets haven’t skyrocketed since the early 2000s may be partially because of rising concession costs.

Previous research conducted by Stanford and the University of California Santa Cruz found that theaters tend to choose to raise concession prices over ticket fares. This means people that are trying to save money can still afford to come see a movie, and there’s an opportunity to collect a profit from them or others who can’t resist an ice-cold cola or a sweet Nerds rope.

Researchers found that even when there were fewer movie-goers, concession sales were proportionately higher.

“The fact that the people who show up only for good or popular movies consume a lot less popcorn means that the total they pay is substantially less than that of people who will come to see anything,” Wesley Hartmann, now a professor of marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business said. “If you want to bring more consumers into the market, you need to keep ticket prices lower to attract them.”

Some movie theatre executives even acknowledged the costs in the past. In 2008, then-CEO Mike Campbell told the Los Angeles Times that if concessions weren’t as expensive as they are, “tickets to the movies would cost $20” (tickets were about $7.20 at the time).

It’s hard to say how well concession prices have been keeping movie fares down.

Through the first quarter of 2023, AMC Theatres reports $328.7 million in revenue from food and beverage sales alone, making up about one-third of its overall revenue. Marcus Theatres reported $59.7 million in theater concessions sales during the second quarter of 2023, again comprising about one-third of the business’s revenue.

Meanwhile, admissions comprised the majority of the revenue for both theaters – $543.1 million and $68.9 million, respectively.

So can you sneak in your own food to beat the concession prices?

As you may have guessed, AMC, Marcus, and many other theaters have rules against it. A local theater in your community may allow carry-ins, but you may want to check before you try sneaking in a box of Dots and a bottled soda.

Business, News Unless you’re sneaking in food (which you really shouldn’t do), you’ll likely spend more on snacks than your actual ticket.

Business

When TikTok and CapCut Vanished from America

Published

3 weeks ago

January 19, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

In a shocking turn of events, TikTok and CapCut, two of America’s most popular social media and video editing apps, vanished from U.S. app stores and became inaccessible to users on Saturday evening, January 18, 2025. This unprecedented digital blackout affected approximately 170 million American users, leaving them stunned and searching for alternatives.

The Sudden Shutdown

As the clock struck 10:50 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, both TikTok and CapCut disappeared from Apple and Google app stores. Users attempting to access the apps were greeted with a stark message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now”.

The ban wasn’t limited to just TikTok and CapCut. Other ByteDance-owned apps, including Lemon8, Hypic, and Gauth, also became unavailable to U.S. users. This sweeping action effectively cut off access to a suite of popular digital tools that millions had come to rely on for entertainment, content creation, and even business purposes.

The Legal Battle

The shutdown came after a tumultuous legal battle that culminated in a Supreme Court decision upholding a federal law requiring ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok and CapCut, to either sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. The legislation, passed in April 2024, cited national security concerns related to data privacy and potential foreign influence.

Impact on Users and Creators

The sudden disappearance of TikTok and CapCut has left content creators and everyday users in a state of digital limbo. Many relied on these platforms not just for entertainment, but as essential tools for their livelihoods and creative expression. The ban has disrupted a thriving ecosystem of digital content creation, leaving millions to scramble for alternative platforms and editing tools.

Political Implications and Future Uncertainties

As the dust settles, all eyes are on the incoming administration. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on January 20, has hinted at a potential 90-day extension for ByteDance to sell TikTok. This development has injected a new layer of uncertainty into an already complex situation.

What’s Next?

While the apps remain inaccessible, ByteDance and TikTok officials continue to work towards a resolution. TikTok’s message to users ends on a hopeful note, stating, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned”.

As America grapples with this digital void, questions about data privacy, national security, and the future of social media regulation loom large. The TikTok and CapCut ban marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the influence of foreign-owned technology companies in the United States, with far-reaching implications for users, creators, and the tech industry as a whole.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life.

Business

TikTok Ban Drives 216% Rise in U.S. Users Learning Chinese on Duolingo

Published

3 weeks ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Duolingo has reported a remarkable 216% increase in U.S. users learning Mandarin Chinese, coinciding with the impending ban on TikTok, set to take effect on January 19, 2025. This surge is attributed to many TikTok users migrating to a new Chinese social media platform called RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu), which defaults to Mandarin as its primary language. As TikTok users seek alternatives amidst concerns over data privacy and app availability, they are turning to RedNote, prompting a cultural exchange that has driven interest in learning Chinese.

The spike in Mandarin learners began around mid-January, aligning with the growing popularity of RedNote among former TikTok users. Duolingo’s marketing team has actively engaged with this trend on social media, humorously acknowledging the phenomenon with posts like “Learning Mandarin out of spite? You’re not alone”.

Additionally, Duolingo has seen a 36% increase in downloads in the U.S., reflecting heightened consumer demand for language learning resources as users adapt to the new social media landscape.

The transition from TikTok to RedNote has not been without challenges, as some users have encountered technical issues during registration and account suspensions.

Nevertheless, this shift underscores a significant demand for social networking experiences that resonate with American users while navigating the complexities of Chinese platforms.

Business

TikTok’s Final Countdown: The Sunday Shutdown

Published

3 weeks ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

As the clock ticks down to January 19, 2025, TikTok users in the United States are bracing for a significant disruption. The app, which boasts approximately 170 million users in the country, faces a potential ban that could render it non-functional by this Sunday. Here’s what you need to know about the impending ban and its implications.

Key Details of the Ban

The anticipated ban comes amid ongoing national security concerns regarding TikTok’s Chinese ownership. Government officials have raised alarms about the possibility of sensitive user data being accessed by Chinese authorities. As a result, the app is expected to be removed from digital app stores, effectively cutting off new downloads and updates.

What Will Happen?

Removal from App Stores: On January 19, TikTok will likely be taken down from platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Existing Users Affected: Current users may find that their app becomes non-functional, losing access to new content creation and updates.
Data Preservation Challenges: Users may face difficulties in preserving their data and content as the deadline approaches.

Recommendations for Users

In light of the impending ban, TikTok users should take proactive steps to safeguard their content and data:

Download Personal Data: Users can access their TikTok settings to download their data before it’s too late.
Export Saved Videos: Save any cherished videos or content that you wish to keep.
Backup Content: Consider backing up your videos on alternative platforms.
Explore Alternatives: As TikTok faces its potential shutdown, consider migrating to other platforms such as:

Instagram Reels
YouTube Shorts
Lemon8
Triller

Potential Scenarios

While the ban is set for this Sunday, there are several scenarios that could unfold in the coming days:

Last-Minute Legal Intervention: There remains a possibility of a legal challenge that could delay or halt the ban.
Temporary Injunction: Courts may issue a temporary injunction allowing TikTok to operate while legal proceedings continue.
Complete Shutdown: If no intervention occurs, users will face a complete shutdown of the platform in the U.S. market.

Emotional Impact on Users

The potential ban is not just a technical disruption; it carries significant emotional weight for many users. Content creators who have built their brands on TikTok may experience economic repercussions as they lose a primary platform for engagement. Additionally, the shift could lead to broader changes in the social media landscape as users seek new avenues for expression and connection.

Conclusion

As we approach this critical deadline, TikTok users should remain vigilant and prepared for possible changes. Whether through legal maneuvers or a complete shutdown, the future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for real-time updates as we navigate this evolving situation together.