Just seen some news that HMV might be calling in administrators tomorrow, so if you have any vouchers/gift cards for them get them spent asap if its not already t late.

Can't say I'm surprised, I have a wander around my local one now and again and the prices and stock are very poor.

I didn't even know they were still going, didn't they go bust before?

Wasnt that MVC?

Online stores just kill this type of shop now. With shipping much approved (in general) over the last year or so and the increasing attempt by say game developers to prevent returns/second hand purchasing actual stores find it hard.

You do not need to buy a CD any more, you got steam and you can buy your games online if you want and have free shipping on lots of cases, pre-order and get games day one...
Movies do have digital versions and you can order online again for cheaper.

Surprised to be honest that not as many physical digital media stores have shut down in the last year or so.

Nothing beats going through pre-owned sections for things you don't know you want until you see them, at stupidly low-prices.

I'm one of the rare few that seems to love both, I like having lossless FLAC copies of everything stored on my HDD for quick and easy access and I like being able to manage my games via Steam, but at the same time I love having a boxed version with artwork and booklets and a physical disc so there is always a backup that won't fail.

Forgetting about digital though, the three things that eventually put me off ever stepping foot in a bricks and mortar shop like HMV, Virgin, etc were laughable prices, poor attention paid to upcoming/preorders (its quicker to get stuff online on preorder, wtf?) and finally the fact that nothing was ever kept in good condition because as soon as it hits the shelf the general public gets their scrubby mitts on the stuff and it ends up on the floor, covered in scratches, marks, stickers and crud.

You can't compete with a pre-order arriving on your doorstep from Amazon cheaper, on the day of the release, well packaged and without even a fingerprint or crumpled corner on the box. You don't even have to leave your house.

I'm surprised any of the others can compete and I do wonder how long they have left. It makes you wonder what the high street will look like in another 10 years time. It seems like its going to be endless clothes shops, bookies, charity shops and coffee houses with the odd department store thrown in.

How long till Blockbuster is gone? I think I'd heard it was in trouble earlier in the year or last year or something.

With lovefilm and all the rest of the streaming services, do you really need a brick and mortar rental place?

Admittedly some people like to have a physical library of things, but then the online stores as Clocked said provide a better quality of service and product. I do on occasion pop into my local blockbuster, but only to look at the pre-owned stuff. I never rent.

have you tried love film? its f**king sh*t.

The blockbuster near my house closed a couple of weeks ago, I wonder of they are getting rid of the low profit stores?