No. That went out decades ago. The Syufy chain of theaters (later Century) used to try to create lines by not opening up enough ticket windows. Then came video rental. Then came half-empty theaters.
Retailers no longer have the power to make customers wait. Consumers have too many other buying options.
Wrong. Clearly you've never lived in NYC, where people apparently use lines as a proxy for how good something is. Lots of other big cities too.
Also, box office revenue hasn't collapsed or anything, so I'm not sure what you mean with your example. In fact, come to think of it, I see people lining up for things multiple times every year at the theaters I frequent.
When I see those long lines in front of [insert trendy food item] stores I think, "I'll have to try that one day when there's no lineup" but when that day actually comes, I've already forgotten about the place. Some of us do gauge popularity by lineups, but we also can't personally be bothered to stand in line.
>Retailers no longer have the power to make customers wait. Consumers have too many other buying options.
And yet Apple had a line 12+ hours before opening to release their 9th generation iPhone -- despite also taking orders online.
Hopdoddy in Austin has a line out the door for lunch and dinner; they even have a person dedicated to managing it, along with waitstaff to take drink orders
I think the line is alive and well in America for certain establishments.
Retailers no longer have the power to make customers wait. Consumers have too many other buying options.