Steve Paniccia, the DVD buyer for Trans World Entertainment, read the recent interview with Viz's Gonzalo Ferreyra (see "Interview with Viz’s Gonzalo Ferreyra, Part 3") and writes in regarding the retail chain Suncoast:

Regarding your interview with Viz's Gonzalo Ferreyra, your first question for him in Part 3 was:

This is a question which applies to both manga and anime.  From ten years ago the footprint for anime and manga in malls has declined.  We say that because of the loss of Suncoast, the continued reduction in the number of Waldenbook stores.  Both of those chains were big champions, in the case of Suncoast of both anime and manga, in the case of Waldenbooks really important in the formation of the manga market here in the States.  Where are the new customers going to come from, the kids, if they're not getting developed in malls?

Just as an fyi.  Suncoast has not been "lost."  There are far fewer stores, and the remaining ones carry less manga, but, Suncoast still carries one of the deepest and diverse line of Anime DVD out there.  

There are 550+ Suncoast and f.y.e. stores combined.  Most of the f.y.e. stores also carry a deep selection of anime DVD.  Unlike Best Buy or Walmart, EVERY new release can be found at any Suncoast nationwide.  In 80% of f.y.e. stores, even the smallest and most insignificant new release can be found.

Trans World Entertainment has been supporting Viz Media in the anime DVD market for a very long time, and we continue to be partners with them into the foreseeable future in the anime DVD market.  

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.