HMV Set To Call in the Administrators!

[david_VI]

They dug their own grave. They killed off independent record stores and now the same is happening to them.

 

[michael769]

Not a surprise when you look at who was at the helm!

A one Trevor Moore; chief executive officer and managing director of HMV Group plc and HMV UK & Ireland respectively, and previously Chief Executive of Jessop Group Limited and a former senior executive at Thresher Group. He also has a background in banking and holds a MSc in Economics, Management and Industrial Relations, but god knows how.

So HMV was in really good hands there.

Something I noticed over the years is that the same names crop up again and again in failed businesses.

The biggest problem for HMV is that in all bar the biggest shops they had migrated away from selling a wide range of both current and back catalog music towards selling gadgets games and video. By removing the "tail" items they had removed the differentiation with what everyone else on the high street was doing -the end result being that they were doing what everyone else (including the supermarkets) were doing, but not as well. The end result is inevitable.

The sad reality is that anyone who wanted musing that was not in the current top 40 or by the current talent show contestants has for some time now had little choice but to go online to fins what they want.

In today's market you really have two options - try to beat Tesco and the big online retailers and fail. Of offer something that they don't to differentiate yourself. HMV used to do that - they stopped, and the result was inevitable.

 

[Geezertronic]

The sad thing is, there aren't going to be any places left where you can browse for records.

There's loads of backstreet stores, HMV is not and has never been by any stretch the be all and end all for vinyl (if that is what you mean by records )

 

[Johnuk123]

Nobody can complain about this as it's actually what people want.

The high street is finished as a place to shop and will eventually just wither and die.

All you'll have left is Greggs, Payday loan shops, Charity shops, Poundland and a selection of filthy take-aways staffed by unkempt people with very questionable social skills.

 

[Max]

Very sad news, another historic outfit on the brink. In opposition to the views expressed here, I often find that HMV are quite price competitive with supermarkets and online stores thesedays. Amazon aren't always as cheap as you think, and you have to wait days and days for your products to arrive. But sadly, I think people will always hold the perception that they are expensive - it is difficult to turn that image around!

That said, I have struggled to find a number of CDs I've been looking for recently in HMV and have been forced to resort to the internet, which reflects what people have said about back-catalogues and more obscure CDs not being stocked.

There's loads of backstreet stores, HMV is not and has never been by any stretch the be all and end all for vinyl (if that is what you mean by records )

Indeed, Record Collector in Sheffield is one of the best that I've come across, and they sell CDs too!

 

[theblackwatch]

Which is of course why they're in trouble. I used to window shop in HMV then go home and buy the items from Amazon because it was almost without exception cheaper. The only time I would buy from HMV was on deals such as two for a tenner or DVDs for a couple of quid.

That is exactly what I have done with HMV for at least the past 5-10 years. I used to shop there, but when the online retailers came on board offering CDs at literally half the price, I'd have a look in HMV then order them from CD Wow or similar once I got home - £13.99 in the shop, or £7.99 online meant it was a no brainer.

 

[Oswyntail]

Anyone ever tried to find a particular classical recording in HMV? Or ordering one? I realise that was not their target stock in the end, but there is a market that is now largely uncatered for.

 

[WillPS]

Here's my thoughts, copy and pasted from my comment on Soult's excellent retail blog in January:

Of the record shop casualties, HMV is the one I have least sympathy for. Staff training is poor any many I’ve encountered verge on rude. The range isn’t exciting or in fact able to offer anything beside chart/mainstream stuff (that stuff was important as a scene kid), and the shops always felt bland (although they’ve generally got better).

It’s never been cheap, and things like click-and-collect, use of store vouchers online – which should really have been easy wins, weren’t possible because they insisted on competing with the Jersey-based operators.

As a chain, they were foolish to attempt to grow upon Zavvi’s failure. The pie was shrinking, everybody could see that – expansion is not the correct course of action.

So why should I spend my hard-earned trying to rescue the last of a dying breed when:
a) when they had competition, I always preferred the competition
b) I’ve never enjoyed the retail experience in those shops
c) it’s clear to me as a non-retailer they’ve made some pretty critical business errors in the recent past
d) they’ve had a decent amount of time to adapt, and yet have only recently done-so.

I also disagree that there’s a need for a national chain distributing goods which are widely available without a physical medium. My Grandmother, who long rejected offers of computers and the internet, is now considering a smart telly. She loves the idea of paying a fiver a month to access the likes of Netflix and/or LoveFilm.

If she’s in a position where she no longer feels threatened by the technology, I don’t see why anybody should be.

Oh, and I’m pretty sure Tesco etc. will continue to stock chart DVDs.

http://www.soultsretailview.co.uk/2...e-pre-christmas-trading-period-for-retailers/

This is what a record shop experience should be like: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/image_galleries/selectadisc_gallery.shtml?1

If you're going to sanitise it HMV-style, you might as well just go online and save a quid or two.

 

[Max]

Anyone ever tried to find a particular classical recording in HMV? Or ordering one? I realise that was not their target stock in the end, but there is a market that is now largely uncatered for.

It's funny that you mention that, a lot of my 'classical music lover' friends were bemoaning how awful HMV is for classical CDs just a couple of weeks ago, but there'd be nothing stopping them finding new markets. During a recent visit to Berlin, I visited Dussman, the "Culture Shop", which successfully combined current chart CDs, books and classical sheet music, CDs and even accessories like music stands! I can't think of anywhere like this in the UK.

 

[fgwrich]

There's loads of backstreet stores, HMV is not and has never been by any stretch the be all and end all for vinyl (if that is what you mean by records )

Our local HMV Has quite a section for Vinyls - some good ones in there too, ranging from New Order & other 80s stuff, to M83 & others of now. Quite good to see Vinyl still in any store, let alone out HMV.

 

[yorksrob]

There's loads of backstreet stores, HMV is not and has never been by any stretch the be all and end all for vinyl (if that is what you mean by records )

Ah well, it tends to be CD's now as I can't put vinyl onto MP3 player.

I agree that the move away from a lack of back catalogue items does cut down on browsing ability. Around 10 - 15 years ago, Waterstones wen't down a similar path by reducing numbers of books stocked and going in for the wide open spaces and coffee shops approach.

I do wonder how much the unfair advantage that certain online multinationals have gained through tax avoidence has contributed to this sorry state of affairs. Hopefully the Chancellor will crack down soon.

 

[Oswyntail]

......I do wonder how much the unfair advantage that certain online multinationals have gained through tax avoidence has contributed to this sorry state of affairs. Hopefully the Chancellor will crack down soon.

Very little, I should imagine. Diversification of product and reduced costs will always win against the fixed store model. Tax avoidance or not would be a fleabite.

 

[Butts]

HMV was once part of "The Mighty EMI Group" before it imploded over the last few decades.

It used to have Cinemas , Hotels, Bingo Halls, Live Music Venues , Make Feature Films, Record Label, Music Publishing in addition to it's electronic business and numerous other interests.

 

[Geezertronic]

Indeed, Record Collector in Sheffield is one of the best that I've come across, and they sell CDs too!

Back in the day (when I was a lad) I used to use Hard to Find Records in Birmingham. Apparently they have gone under as well so it's not just the big names unfortunately

Did like the guys number plate though: V1NYL

 

[EM2]

Nobody can complain about this as it's actually what people want.

The high street is finished as a place to shop and will eventually just wither and die.

All you'll have left is Greggs, Payday loan shops, Charity shops, Poundland and a selection of filthy take-aways staffed by unkempt people with very questionable social skills.

Would you buy all your clothes, toiletries, jewellery, luggage items, domestic appliances online?

 

[anthony263]

It'll be a sad day for music if and when HMV has to close. Whilst there is alot of blame on the likes of the tax avoiding Amazon, Play.com? & Itunes, we are also sadly to blame for doing so - If you don't support your local store, then it'll close. Also, Yes downloads are cheaper. But seriously, How fun is a download or a streamed film compared to a a physical purchase - a CD, DVD, Game or Vinyl.

.

Play.com I think have been shut down I think for some in relation to tax avoidance.

Anyway I have purchased stuff from HMV before including some DVD's online and found the aftersales terrible especially since the north london line DEV from video 125 would even work.

That said I too have noticed HMV are very expensive

 

[Bungle73]

Would you buy all your clothes, toiletries, jewellery, luggage items, domestic appliances online?

Yes, why not?

 

[wintonian]

Would you buy all your clothes, toiletries, jewellery, luggage items, domestic appliances online?

I have to say I would draw the line at shoes and fresh meat & fish, but otherwise I agree with Bungle73 - why not?

 

[GB]

Would you buy all your clothes, toiletries, jewellery, luggage items, domestic appliances online?

I'm not a trendy person therefore I have no problem buying clothes online. I don't think I have visited my local high street for a number of years!...at least not for shopping purposes.

Anything I can't get or dont get online I can usually get from a supermarket.

 

[Oswyntail]

We have had a similar discussion in Ilkley, prompted by proposals for a large new Tescos. The vocals say it should be banned "to protect our local shops", many of which are closing. I maintain it is those shops that do not change and do not offer customer service that close. We have excellent, and thriving , butcher, bookshop, baker and hardware store; we also have less successful versions. What marks out the prosperous shops is that you can go in and talk about what you want or need, you will get expert advice, and you will not be sold anything unnecessarily. On the other hand, an example might be the lighting shop where I once went in and asked for advice on kitchen lighting; "Do you know what you want or don't you" was the response. They went bust.

 

[Tracky]

We buy meat from a decent butcher and bread from a baker, fruit and veg, milk and a few other bits from local shops. Tesco for milk actually as they supply locally produced milk. We were directed their after Emailing the producer...

Once a month we do an online grocery shop with all the bulky stuff like loo roll, along with weighty stuff like washing powder, cleaning stuff, kitchen staples and cereals.

Amazon may be tax avoiding but they are reliable and pass on the savings to the consumer. I bought an electric shaver a few months back and it wasn't just a little less than the high street.

I hate clothes shopping. Shops rarely have my size anyway as the bigger male tends to be catered for these days...

The high street is sad, but it reflects demand.

 

[Johnuk123]

Would you buy all your clothes, toiletries, jewellery, luggage items, domestic appliances online?

I don't buy jewellery ever, luggage once in a blue moon, toiletries from Tesco, clothes and domestic appliances from Amazon, et al.

 

[EM2]

Yes, why not?

Because you can't try on clothes, you can't test toiletries to see if they suit (allergies etc.) and a number of other reasons.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

We buy meat from a decent butcher and bread from a baker, fruit and veg, milk and a few other bits from local shops.
...
The high street is sad, but it reflects demand.

But you do use the high street.

 

[fgwrich]

HMV.com Website now suspended. Hope the stores are still trading - our's was today.

 

[Harbon 1]

I think the point with online buying is that when you go online, you know what you want. I've never brought a CD online because I like to browse the CDs for one s I haven't heard of*, see what songs are on it, then buy it with another CD if its in an offer.

*I would never have known Elbow had 5 albums if it wasn't for HMV, the same with Coldplay, I was missing an album, but I didn't know what it was called, what it looked like or anything

 

[Bungle73]

Because you can't try on clothes

Yes you can. If you don't like what you've bought just send it back. I buy all my clothes online, usually.

 

[Crossover]

I have to say I would draw the line at shoes and fresh meat & fish, but otherwise I agree with Bungle73 - why not?

Shoes, as with clothes, you can get and send back if not right.

 

[GB]

I think the point with online buying is that when you go online, you know what you want. I've never brought a CD online because I like to browse the CDs for one s I haven't heard of*, see what songs are on it, then buy it with another CD if its in an offer.

*I would never have known Elbow had 5 albums if it wasn't for HMV, the same with Coldplay, I was missing an album, but I didn't know what it was called, what it looked like or anything

But with the likes of iTunes and Amazon etc etc you can browse, search and (at least part) listen to tracks....its just a different way of doing it.

 

[Butts]

I think online shopping / high street shopping could be a generational thing - whatever happened to social interaction ???

Reminds me of people in the same office sending e-mails to each other rather than having a conversation !!!

I prefer a mixture of both.

 

[EM2]

Yes you can. If you don't like what you've bought just send it back. I buy all my clothes online, usually.

Shoes, as with clothes, you can get and send back if not right.

What a waste of time and effort!