MediaFile

Shoppers eager to secure a copy of the hottest new video game can soon walk into a Target store and pay $1 to reserve a copy ahead of its release.

Starting April 19, Target is launching a "reservation program" for what it expects will be the best selling video games.

That means shoppers can purchase a $1 reservation card in the electronics department of its stores.

When they bring the card back to the same store within 7 days of the video game's release the can buy the title. They will also receive a $5 Target gift card that can used for a future purchase.

"We will hold inventory so in essence, it does guarantee you the product within the first seven days," said Target spokesman Joshua Thomas of the program.

Will my local movie rental shop ever become a “content hub” like Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes hopes ? Perhaps. But his transformation of the company has certainly improved sales of one item.

Hats. Movie-themed hats. Go ahead and chuckle, but in the name of weekend family fun, I considered buying one after I saw “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (I didn’t — more on that later).

Remember, Keyes is the former CEO of 7-Eleven, so he’s very familiar with merchandising. Here’s Keyes at Blockbuster’s annual meeting today in New York, talking about a marketing change the company has made and the Porkpie payoff: