Videoliikkeen

Videoliikkeen is the Finnish term for the business of renting video media to consumers, typically through a neighborhood store. The concept arose with home video technology and expanded to include formats such as VHS, then DVD and Blu-ray, along with video game discs. In Finnish usage, videoliikkeen refers to the rental operation, its inventory, and its ongoing activities.

Historically, videoliikkeen emerged in Finland in the late 1980s as video cassette technology spread into households. Stores built large catalogs and offered flexible rental terms, staff recommendations, and often late fees. They functioned as local community venues where families and film enthusiasts could browse, discover, and borrow titles for home viewing.

Operations of a videoliikkeen typically included inventory management, setting rental periods (commonly 24 to 48 hours), maintaining membership systems, and collecting late fees. Some stores also rented video games and sold used titles, while others complemented rental services with snacks or small seating areas for browsing. Pricing and rules varied by store and region.

Decline and present status have been driven by streaming services, which reduced demand for physical media. Since the mid-2000s, many videoliikkeen have closed or downsized. Surviving stores often diversify by offering niche or rare titles, hosting events, or combining with cafés or second-hand shops, sometimes maintaining an online or mail-order component. The term remains a historical reference in Finnish media and retail history, illustrating a distinctive era of home entertainment.