Belgian cinema group Kinepolis, is planning to replace box office ticket desks in all of its multiplexes with public-access computers to allow patrons to buy tickets via the internet. The company also intends to install terminals in local bars and restaurants.

In addition to on-line ticket sales, film-goers will also be able to order drinks and sweets via the computers, a strategy long-mooted by a number of international cinema operators to boost flagging concessions sales. The increasing use of credit cards for ticket purchases has resulted in patrons carrying less cash and subsequently spending less in the cinema foyer.

Kinepolis hopes to sell 60% of tickets electronically by the end of this year and 80% by the end of 2003. In addition, the company is considering selling other products in its foyers, such as books, CDs and computer games - a strategy that has proved unsuccessful for many of its competitors in the past.