HMV

[RockitRon]

Gone again

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46708075

...and if Hilco can't make it pay I guess no-one can, so the outlook for it, in its present form and size, is bleak.

I have to say that the Nottingham (Victoria Centre) store was busy enough in the run-up to Christmas.

Unlike the still huge numbers of clothes shops, many of which are struggling, HMV is very much the last retailer of home entertainment (music and DVD), since the supermarkets backed out of the market (and never sold a comparable range anyway). For those who still like the tangible article, rather than download or streaming, shopping online - Amazon - will be the only option, and prices will rise. It is already evident that Amazon matches HMV for price, but items which HMV doesn't stock have become dearer. In Europe, where the like of HMV on the high street disappeared long ago, a chart CD is commonly Eu15.99 (=£14.30)

[Claude Balls]

One of the Twitter comments hit the nail on the head for me -five years ago, people would have had around £20 to £30 worth of CDs or DVDs in their Christmas present list, myself included. How many people could say this for 2018?

[RockitRon]

One of the Twitter comments hit the nail on the head for me -five years ago, people would have had around £20 to £30 worth of CDs or DVDs in their Christmas present list, myself included. How many people could say this for 2018?

JD McPherson, Curse of Lono, Beth Hart, Fara, Nick Lowe, and Rodders (for OH, of course)

[Psmith]

It was OK but it wasn't just a music shop which is all I was interested in.
I spent most of my time in Spillers (the oldest record shop in the world) so they say

[RockitRon]

Apparently it was a collapse in the sales of DVDs which was a major factor.
That I can understand.

[Turnipsock]

Gone again

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46708075

...and if Hilco can't make it pay I guess no-one can, so the outlook for it, in its present form and size, is bleak.

I have to say that the Nottingham (Victoria Centre) store was busy enough in the run-up to Christmas.

Unlike the still huge numbers of clothes shops, many of which are struggling, HMV is very much the last retailer of home entertainment (music and DVD), since the supermarkets backed out of the market (and never sold a comparable range anyway). For those who still like the tangible article, rather than download or streaming, shopping online - Amazon - will be the only option, and prices will rise. It is already evident that Amazon matches HMV for price, but items which HMV doesn't stock have become dearer. In Europe, where the like of HMV on the high street disappeared long ago, a chart CD is commonly Eu15.99 (=£14.30)

Its down to trudging all the way to a shop on the off chance they have what you want. Of course you are going to check Amazon first.

[Maximus]

There could be an extremely long post on this but it's fairly simple, retail needs to be an experience rather than a method of selling stuff - generally the internet does that better (i.e. cheaper and more convenient).

[Turnipsock]

There could be an extremely long post on this but it's fairly simple, retail needs to be an experience rather than a method of selling stuff - generally the internet does that better (i.e. cheaper and more convenient).

yip, that's it.

The only time I go to the "shops" is the supermarket...and I don't really need to do that now.

[RockitRon]

So, Sunrise Records of Canada has bought it, talking about the "retail experience" that we get nostalgic for, giving stores some autonomy to cater for local tastes, and of stocking more vinyl (LPs to you and me). Mike Ashley will have to find something else to fill the empty acres of space at House of Fraser.

The takeover is certainly not before time - the stores haven't received new stock or new releases since Christmas, which has turned likely purchasers away. Jan/Feb are quiet generally, but HMV in Nottingham has felt like the Marie Celeste. Not that there's nothing on the shelves - they've got an awful lot of DVDs and back catalogue stuff they can't shift.

A little more of that "retail experience" is found at the Fopp stores which HMV retained. The Nottingham one is at the wrong location and is odds-on to be one of the closures. As for vinyl, it's still a niche market, and LPs are expensive (to buy and to stock). When CDs were launched they cost £10 and an LP was £3.99. CDs are still a tenner but you'll be lucky to get change out of £20 for an LP.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47127520

[Undie]

I like what the bloke from Sunrise has said, sounds like he has the right attitude but it's not going to be easy.

Nottingham used to be great for vinyl, I used to spend most of a day going from 1 Selectadisc to the next one and to the third. Used to spend a fortune in those shops

[Phillip Phlopp]

Will they reinstall those wooden cabinets (like a small enclosed telephone box) where you could stand and listen to the LP you wanted to buy? To get the authentic experience they'd have to ensure the worn-out earphones were a bit greasy and the cabinet smelt of cigarettes and wee (and something else you couldn't quite place but was a bit unpleasant).

[Redpig59]

LP?

[RockitRon]

The list of stores for closure has now been posted

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47132310

Slightly puzzling. I've always loved going to the Peterborough one because it's bigger and has a better range (of music). Perhaps rent is a big factor, since a lot of them are in the big shopping centres and Oxford Street. Amazingly, both Nottingham stores survive. (Put together they'd make one decent record shop)

[Undie]

I'd guess the Oxford st store has the biggest savings on rent. Peterborough hasn't been the same since it moved inside queensgate. Had lots of friends work there over the years

[Maximus]

I bought lots of records in both HMV stores on Oxford Street but was working next door to one. I did tend to buy a lot more in specialist stores though although HMV wasn't bad on soul and dance back in the day.

[Maximus]

I think that Record stores need to offer a package.

My brother lives in Kingston (on Thames, not Hull) and Banquet records there are excellent. They have personal appearences and gigs, in-store and at local venues, club nights and have a wide range of music and matching knowledge. It's where I met The Mad Professor reggae producer who I see quite a bit of (see new for 2019). Rough Trade have a similar set-up plus the record label.

Banquet Records

The guy buying HMV seems to have the right attitude and bought the HMV Canada stores and turned them around so lets be hopeful.

[RockitRon]

Yes, we have a branch of Rough Trade as well. Expensive, but stocks more imports and independent stuff.

[Maximus]

Talking of Record Shops, one of my favourite YT watches is 'What's In My Bag?'.

Simply, it's a monster media store in LA and they get any passing musicians to feature what they've bought.

Really, they have every artist from heavy metal to rap and a lot of really big names so do a search. It's also useful for picking up artists I don't know.

Here are a couple of my favourites:

Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile - What's In My Bag?

Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) - What's In My Bag?

I don't much like what he picks but he's great:

Ethan Hawke - What's In My Bag?

More my kind of music:

Mark Ronson - What's In My Bag?

There are loads more...

[Claude Balls]

Talking of Record Shops, one of my favourite YT watches is 'What's In My Bag?'.

I think that happens to Wynona Rider in every shop she goes into now

[Maximus]

Talking of Record Shops, one of my favourite YT watches is 'What's In My Bag?'.

I think that happens to Wynona Rider in every shop she goes into now

She's always welcome to something out of my bag...