No more 3-packs from Fujifilm

[miha]

https://petapixel.com/2020/02/07/fu...and-superia-3-packs-due-to-decline-in-demand/

 

[M-88]

Films in question - Fujicolor 100 and Superia "Premium" 400 are only sold in Japan (apart from the bay, of course). Perhaps there would have been a higher demand, had they exported it abroad as well

 

[AgX]

That decline of demand can't be, as Everyone knows that film is used again and people buy it in masses...

 

[Henning Serger]

Well, the title is quite misleading, because the reader get the impression that in general the 3-packs are discontinued.
But that is not the case:
About two years ago Fujifilm North America introduced completely new designed 3-packs of Fujicolor C 200 and Superia X-Tra 400. They are sold by B&H, Adorama, Freestyle and all the other film distributors, and afaik also by the big supermarket chains like WalMart, Walgreens, LondonDrugs etc.
They are very popular and selling very well.

We should always have in mind that there are huge demand and preference differences in regional markets. One product which is selling very well in one market, might sell much worse in a different market.
Just one example for demonstration: In 2001 we had the sales record in film sales in history with about 3.5 billion films globally.
In that year in Germany about 5 million SUCs (single use cameras) were sold. But in the much smaller neighbour country Belgium 17 (!) millions. And in the US in that year even 175 (!!) millions. If the SUC had the same popularity in the US as in Germany, than it would have been only 22-25 million units.

Therefore it could realistically be that 3-packs are currently much more popular in the US than in Japan. It could also be that Fujifilm has increasing demand for Industrial 100 and Premium 400 in single rolls and / or the often by shops offered cheaper 10 film deals (e.g. in Germany they are very popular), and decreasing demand for the 3-packs of 100 and 400. Honestly, I have never seen 3-packs of Industrial 100 offered by shops at all.
So it can be an adjusting to current demand preferences, that consumers in Japan buy either one single roll, or 10 or more films at one time.
And concerning the film revival in general my industry contacts in Japan tell me that they are very late to the trend. So far not (yet) the significant increase we have in NA, Europe, Australia and lots of Asian countries.

Both Industrial 100 and Premium 400 remain in 36EXP and even 24EXP (!).
24EXP I find quite astonishing, because the cost per shot is significantly higher compared to 36EXP (also because of same price for processing).
So those who like these films can just continue to use them (I am currently waiting for my next shipment of Industrial 100, an excellent and unfortunately often overlooked film).

And:
Are such 3-packs essential for our photography? No.
Most film manufacturers don't even offer them at all (Ilford, Foma, ADOX, Polaroid. Film Ferrania etc.).

Best regards,
Henning

 

[howardpan]

Henning,

In Japan, the three-packs are cheaper than buying 3 single packs. Personally, I think this is just a way for Fujifilm to raise prices. Obviously, it also has the side benefit of reducing their cost through a reduction of SKUs.

 

[Henning Serger]

Henning,

In Japan, the three-packs are cheaper than buying 3 single packs.

They of course should be cheaper . Offer the customer an advantage should be their purpose, otherwise it would not make sense.
But if the customers don't react (enough) to this incentive and prefer other packaging options, like single rolls or 10 film offers, then the additional packaging unit may cost more than it brings money in.
Here in Germany for example most online distributors offer very attractive discount deals if you buy 10 films instead of one. For enthusiast photographers who shoot film on a regular basis it makes much sense to use these deals.
And those who are just in the beginning - first time film shooters - may feel more comfortable with just buying a single roll of one film type, and maybe another roll of a different type to see how both films look. Maybe buying one roll of Fujifilm C200, and another of ColorPlus 200.

Personally, I think this is just a way for Fujifilm to raise prices. Obviously, it also has the side benefit of reducing their cost through a reduction of SKUs.

Possible for the first part. And the second part of your statement is certainly correct. Especially as they currently have severe difficulties to keep up with the demand for their CN films. They have huge backorders. Loosing some "SKU fat" helps at least a little bit.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

And, not to forget: These deals for 10 films (sometimes also for 50 films) are very cost efficient: No extra packaging needed. No additional SKU and bureaucratic effort. It is just the normal packaging of ten normal film boxes in thin transparent foliage which is the standard factory packaging. These 10 film packages are then put into cardboard boxes of in total 100 films. Many of these units are put together on palettes. And theses are then shipped to the regional markets / national Fujifilm operations and then forwarded to the wholesalers.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[miha]

That decline of demand can't be, as Everyone knows that film is used again and people buy it in masses...

You sure are not surprised, are you?

Fujifilm say..." become difficult due to a long-term decline in demand"

However posters here say "huge demand" and "huge backorders"

 

[miha]

And:

Most film manufacturers don't even offer them at all (Ilford, Foma, ADOX, Polaroid. Film Ferrania etc.).

I'm surprised by this claim of yours.

 

[Henning Serger]

Fujifilm say..." become difficult due to a long-term decline in demand"

However posters here say "huge demand" and "huge backorders"

It may be an excuse by Fujifilm to cover other reasons like improving efficiency / profitability (which is simply needed for a sustainable production), it may be that the demand for the 3-packs of this two Japan only films is decreasing, wheras the demand for this two films in single boxes may at the same time increasing. The possibilities have been explained in detail above. Please just read it.
C200, X-Tra 400 and Pro 400H are increasing in demand globally. That is not said by members here, but the sources are
- film distributors worldwide, which have problems to get enough films because demand is surpassing supply;
just have a current look at Fotoimpex and macodirect: At Fotoimpex C200 is sold out (again), at macodirect C200 and X-tra 400 are sold out again; all this has happened much more often recently because of the increasing demand
- by the manufacturers themselves: I am in regular contact with them. Just this week I have talked to both Kodak and Fujifilm. And their statements have been very clear: Significantly increasing demand for CN film, especially for amateur CN film.
That are just the facts.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Kino]

OK this is an incomprehensible move by Fuji, but what can we do about it?

One silver lining is the idiotic supply chain logic in the USA. I found a local RiteAid had placed their remaining 3 packs of 36 exp. Fuji Superia 400 on clearance, probably because it was a "discontinued" item.

I bought it all.

I suggest Photrio members in the USA check their local drug stores to see if it is on clearance in their areas.

 

[Henning Serger]

I'm surprised by this claim of yours.

??????
I am shooting Ilford since my youth. I have never had a 3-pack by Ilford. So what? I have neither needed nor missed it!
I am totally fine with Ilford's offers.
If I want a little discount, I go for 10, 20 or 50 films per purchase.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

I suggest Photrio members in the USA check their local drug stores to see if it is on clearance in their areas.

Not needed.
You can buy the new 3-packs of C200 and Superia X-Tra 400 at B&H, Adorama e.g. for extremely low 11.99$. Fresh film.
If you consider inflation, that is less than what you payed 25 years ago for color negative film.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Kino]

Not needed.
You can buy the new 3-packs of C200 and Superia X-Tra 400 at B&H, Adorama e.g. for extremely low 11.99$. Fresh film.
If you consider inflation, that is less than what you payed 25 years ago for color negative film.

Best regards,
Henning

Understood but this is fresh stock too and I got it at 70% off! My results might not be typical, but it is worth checking...

 

[miha]

??????
I am shooting Ilford since my youth. I have never had a 3-pack by Ilford. So what? I have neither needed nor missed it!
I am totally fine with Ilford's offers.
If I want a little discount, I go for 10, 20 or 50 films per purchase.

Best regards,
Henning

Not my point. For the last two years you had been using the 3-pack offers by Fujifilm as de facto proof that film is on the rise (despite the fact that Fujifilm axed several films/formats along the way). However today after we read that Fujifilm quit these multi packs - at least in Japan - the same objective rings no bells for you.

 

[Henning Serger]

Not my point. For the last two years you had been using the 3-pack offers by Fujifilm as de facto proof that film is on the rise (despite the fact that Fujifilm axed several films/formats along the way).

That is completey wrong. I have never made such a statement. Look at the threads here and you won't find it.
My explanations concerning film demand increase of market segments and or regional markets / overall global markets have been based on sales data.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[miha]

That is completey wrong. I have never made such a statement. Look at the threads here and you won't find it...
Henning

Apologies if it was not you who claimed this.

 

[Henning Serger]

Apologies if it was not you who claimed this.

O.k.
Apologies accepted .

Best regards,
Henning

 

[perkeleellinen]

The shops I buy film from break down pro packs of Portra because they're too expensive. Perhaps Fuji is also sensing that from its customers.

Consumer behaviour, at least in the UK, is to buy little often rather than lots once. UK supermarkets have been caught out by this shift as their business model has been toward huge stores, large trolleys and bulk offers. They are having to change rapidly to customer shifts. Maybe we see this in film sales too.

Maybe we are all at the affluent end of film photography, happy to bulk buy pro packs. Perhaps many other photographers buy one roll at a time for financial reasons - I did when I was in my 20s.

 

[BradS]

Three packs of 36 exposure Fuji Superia Xtra 400 is still stocked at the local Walmart and, unfortunately, not at a discount! Great film. I’ll keep buying it as long as it is offered.

much ado about nothing....false fear mothering and all that.

 

[Agulliver]

I do suspect that us here at Photrio are not typical in the way we buy and use film. Most people out there aren't buying 3,5,10,50 rolls at a time. They're not shooting 50 or 100 or more rolls per year. I am not familiar with the Japanese market but I know that my local shop in the UK doesn't stock any three packs or offer discounts for multiple rolls because most people come in and buy a film or two at a time. Now...maybe that's because they know the shop and know that it's there and will likely have stock next time they need it (Color Plus and 400H shortage notwithstanding). Whereas a lot of us here will use an online retailer to buy 10,20,50 at a time.

Fuji does often offer different products and ways of packaging said products specific to Japan, and another set of products for North America and again another for Europe.

 

[mshchem]

I liked when Kodak sold 20 roll "bricks" of 35mm film, all in individual boxes. I wish we could go back to 20 and 36 exposure rolls. One benefits of an individual box is you know the true expir. date. And you get a nice flap for your memo back

 

[Wallendo]

I have generally bought color print film in 3 or 4 packs. One pack can cover a single vacation or trip. In fact, at the height of film’s popularity, most stores only sold consumer film in 3 packs.

Now that I have to buy film by mail, I generally order multiple quantities. Maybe the three pack has been primarily a North American thing.

 

[faberryman]

Maybe we are all at the affluent end of film photography, happy to bulk buy pro packs. Perhaps many other photographers buy one roll at a time for financial reasons - I did when I was in my 20s.

So whatever demographic use to buy 3 packs no longer does. I don't think we can assume they now buy single rolls. Maybe they no longer buy film at all. Maybe this is the old guard dying off, and newer film users are only buying a roll at a time. Hard to fathom the mindset. I always have a couple of extra rolls with me when shooting. Good images don't stop when you hit 36.

 

[BradS]

The title seems a bit alarmist...