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.
Quote from: DEViANCE on January 14, 2013, 21:56:00 PM
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?
It's been a long time coming hasn't it, I think Bacon is right that they have been through this before haven't they?
Wasnt that MVC?
HMV were saved last year or the year before by their supplier basically, who take shares in the company. It all happened when the Vita launched (i think) because I remember stickers on all of the stock stating it belonged to Sony until purchased by a customer, as in they let HMV have the stock on a kind of lease.
In fact its pretty much a year dead on - http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2012/01/hmv-saved-by-music-and-film-industry/
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.
Quote from: neXus on January 15, 2013, 02:39:22 AM
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.
it sucks though as sometimes it is nice just to have a proper browse, going through a stock catalogue online just isn't the same.
Nothing beats going through pre-owned sections for things you don't know you want until you see them, at stupidly low-prices.
i love the digital age. got boxes & boxes of old crap up the loft. now 1 hard drive takes care of it all.
HMV didnt move with the times quick enough. now they are extinct.
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.
Quote from: zpyder on January 15, 2013, 16:56:30 PM
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.
Blinkbox isn't though, that's bloody awesome and its what blockbuster should have moved to.
The blockbuster near my house closed a couple of weeks ago, I wonder of they are getting rid of the low profit stores?
Have you seen the southpark ep where Stan's dad buys a Blockbuster store? Sums it up pretty well tbh
There are probably a good amount of HMV stores that are making good profits. The problem with the chain business model is that keeping a presence in a large swathe of the country costs money. It means subsidising stores that are not as busy so they can have a wide coverage throughout and then have the air of a big brand.
The value of a big recognisable brand used to be very important when shopping, especially on the high street, but nowadays its all changing with the internet. Smaller retailers could be the people who benefit from the change in the high street.
A small store can easily adapt and change to make sure it stays profitable and doesn't have colossal infrastructure to upkeep. There are gonna be some very lucrative spaces open within local shopping centres by the big chains that have been dropping in recent years.
Theres still life in bricks and mortar shopping, John Lewis have been recently celebrating increased sales over the Christmas period.
Quote from: Eggtastico on January 15, 2013, 18:16:51 PM
have you tried love film? its f**king sh*t.
Ok, maybe I should have been a little more broad. When I wrote that I was thinking streaming services in general. On the xbox we have access to lovefilm, skyplayer, iplayer, 4OD etc.Way better than having to go out and get a DVD, and much more convenient than being stuck with a TV schedule, Sky+ is great, but not quite the same.
Quote from: zpyder on January 15, 2013, 23:05:38 PM
Quote from: Eggtastico on January 15, 2013, 18:16:51 PM
have you tried love film? its f**king sh*t.
Ok, maybe I should have been a little more broad. When I wrote that I was thinking streaming services in general. On the xbox we have access to lovefilm, skyplayer, iplayer, 4OD etc.Way better than having to go out and get a DVD, and much more convenient than being stuck with a TV schedule, Sky+ is great, but not quite the same.
get a proxy & try netflix america
Quote from: Clock'd 0Ne on January 15, 2013, 16:41:03 PM
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.
I can understand that but I think everything online, steam, itunes, netflix, the online stores to by dvd's etc at cheaper price then in the stores most with free shipping and next day....
To nice and convenient to be real bothered the stores close.
Clothing is a thing you think you need to be there and yes, you need to but..
My fiancee is a BIG clothes shopper, big, I done 7.5 hours in one day more then once, so she shops!
BUT she does a lot online now, sites like boohoo.com work well, work on ipads, have good images, info and even videos of girls walking down the catwalk wearing the outfit.
Good info, very easy, see what you want, know your size. Often not handled as much as they are in stores so do not have snags and damage as they do in the store... Pretty good.
Lots of things have not handled returns very well but its getting better.
Places will ship replacements to you with return packaging for the damaged item so you do not have to pay for it. And people Like Dell have an awesome service...
So in lots of areas online really is killing physical stores in most areas.
I agree with you its good for some, but I've bought jeans and tees online and its been hit and miss though. Glossy product photos on some web model vs what you see in the store or when you try on the clothes can give a completely different appearance, the other problem is that the size you buy isn't always as a good a fit from store to store so you can't always tell how something will be without trying it on (especially footwear, I get stung every time on footwear). I'll still buy the odd thing online as I'm not a big clothes shopper anyway, but I do prefer browsing and trying things on in the flesh as it's something you have to live with and not just a disc in a box.
I don't think this whole 'death of the high street' is the disaster the press make it out to be. I never used the high street - because it was expensive, staff were generally low paid and under trained (hence useless - not their fault though) and stock was never as good as online for obvious reasons. I also hated that every high street looked the same....
The future however won't be dominated by Comet, Woolies, HMV etc.. because those services will be ruled by the net. This could potentially be a new golden age for the local business - niche quirky firms offering local goods, bespoke services, and things that the internet doesn't work for. You can already see it in my town - Woolies gone, HMV going, Virgin gone, loads of others - but suddenly we've got some great little independent places and they're doing really well. Its also led the town to have more quality food establishments and we've had new cafe's and restaurants opening that are awesome. They know they can't open crappy greasy spoons anymore because there isn't the volume of high street shoppers to pull in, so they have to work at doing something different and high quality and we've got some amazing places now as a result. I probably go into town more now than I have since I was at sixth form.
I don't know whether some of the following is going off topic a little, but hey ho...
I'm curious what people think the high street will look like in the future. I kind of agree with Rivkid, that in the short term things are going to get more independant. Certainly my local town is seeing some nice little shops cropping up, as well as a number of charity shops. I kind of see the future of commerce short term being dominated by local services that the internet just can't cater for, or easily, so eating out, charity shops etc. I also see a lot of industry migrating to the digital world, so where currently retail employs a lot of people, in the future there will be less retail potentially, and those who would have been in retail might be creating digital media for consumption by the masses, or making products to sell locally, or through the internet (IE, etsy, folksy etc). I certainly think we've gone a little past mass produced things and now people are starting to look for hand crafted, more unique things to buy.
But that's short term. The internet may have made it easy to reach an international audience, and courier services may make it easier to serve that audience, but long term, I wonder whether even this will die back to just local businesses for local people, as the cost of transporting goods nationally and internationally makes it prohibitively expensive to do so?
I think I just read too many doom and gloom reports sometimes, but then they do seem to make a bit of sense...
Looks like Blockbuster has gone.....
Dave.
Personally I'd like to see the future Rivkid has described, but we're not quite there yet. There are some things you will always need to or want to go out for, like a nice restaurant or the "niche quirky firms offering local goods, bespoke services". I'm quite happy to not see the death of clothes/shoe stores or dept stores though as I believe they still serve a good purpose. I used to always go to my local independant music shop because they would order stuff in specially for me, even stuff that would normally be very tricky to get hold of direct from the label, I've managed to blag some very limited pressings that way. The future for anyone on the high street is definitely to offer something that needs to be seen and is tangible or that is very custom or with a an attitude of service and customer experience first.
Quote from: Clock'd 0Ne on January 16, 2013, 17:56:18 PM
Personally I'd like to see the future Rivkid has described, but we're not quite there yet. There are some things you will always need to or want to go out for, like a nice restaurant or the "niche quirky firms offering local goods, bespoke services". I'm quite happy to not see the death of clothes/shoe stores or dept stores though as I believe they still serve a good purpose. I used to always go to my local independant music shop because they would order stuff in specially for me, even stuff that would normally be very tricky to get hold of direct from the label, I've managed to blag some very limited pressings that way. The future for anyone on the high street is definitely to offer something that needs to be seen and is tangible or that is very custom or with a an attitude of service and customer experience first.
TBF though it was stores like HMV that put those little indie's out of business. I'm hoping we might see the start to crop back up. I'm sure with some added value and maybe a little diversity they could work again.
Although the fall of HMV and Jessops were inevitable with so many people going online, I have to say I'm a bit saddened by it. I'm probably one of the only 90's kids that can say they're nostalgic about the good old days of going into a shop to buy a book or a CD, I'm starting to detest online shopping. For starters buying clothes is so awkward, especially if you're female - every shop has a different size range, so whilst you could be a size 10 in one, you're a size 14 in others. If what you buy doesn't fit you can't even take it to a store, you have to pay to post it back, so you're losing out money-wise.
I also can't stand things like the Kindle. Don't get me wrong, I love my Nexus 7 but I will never, ever buy a book on there. I love books, and I love being able to have a whole bookcase full of them, it's like an accomplishment for me to have so many. I'd also go and pay a bit extra at Waterstones to on Amazon any day. The staff at Waterstones are always really helpful and friendly, and if they don't have a book they order in for me. Last time I tried to order a book from Amazon they tried to tell me my address doesn't exist or the courier was unable to access (I live with Clock'd, yet he never seems to have any trouble)
I also think it's because I'm so impatient. Honestly, I'm like Scott Pilgrim sitting by the door waiting for it to arrive as soon as I've ordered.
I hate what the high street has become now too. Any new shop in our town is either another charity store (they're closing down because of lack of donations!) or coffee shop. We have 3 costas within 5 minutes walking distance of each other; I estimate there to be at least 15 different coffee shops just on the main high street. And when Woolworths closed down it turned into a 99p store, with a Poundland round the corner.
Quote from: Blade on January 16, 2013, 17:49:45 PM
Looks like Blockbuster has gone.....
Dave.
Wow, called it!
What's the deal with all these companies going bankrupt/into adminstration all around the same time? Is there some kind of financial year coming to a close which is a deadline for them that they can't meet? Or are they all doing it thinking safety in numbers, so as there's so many going bust there'll be less media attention on them specifically?
Its just cumulative losses and the changing landscape of the retail market. Creditors and owners are not willing to plough money into something that clearly has some very long hard struggles ahead if it is to carry on trading.
I think for most of the recent companies their markets have changed dramatically over recent years and they haven't adapted.
Quote from: zpyder on January 17, 2013, 08:49:30 AM
Quote from: Blade on January 16, 2013, 17:49:45 PM
Looks like Blockbuster has gone.....
Dave.
Wow, called it!
What's the deal with all these companies going bankrupt/into adminstration all around the same time? Is there some kind of financial year coming to a close which is a deadline for them that they can't meet? Or are they all doing it thinking safety in numbers, so as there's so many going bust there'll be less media attention on them specifically?
It was said on a local radio station this morning that rents are due at the begining of the year so they've probably not had enough money to pay the rent on the stores so bye bye
I suspect places like HMV will have held on for the Christmas rush - now that's over there won;t be much to look forward to for a while
not sure about the rent thing...even really big places normally pay monthly... and there rents must be crazy big - some of the shops will be more than a half million a year on rent alone.. that's almost 100k a week out of your profit... at 30% profit (total ballpark guess) they'd need more than 300k a week in the till just to pay the rent... without heat/power/wages/maintenance etc...
Good on them, especially given the overtime most of them worked over Christmas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAOprczr6h0
Quote from: Eggtastico on January 15, 2013, 16:04:40 PMHMV didnt move with the times quick enough. now they are extinct.
I actually sent them a suggestion many years ago to install 'mp3 stations'. You could browse the physical goods and maybe also go to a station, attach your device, browse, pay and away you go. That would be kind of addictive, you know like buying stuff at home nowadays.
Never mind though, eh?
Quote from: Beanissocoollike on January 16, 2013, 20:45:42 PM
Although the fall of HMV and Jessops were inevitable with so many people going online, I have to say I'm a bit saddened by it. I'm probably one of the only 90's kids that can say they're nostalgic about the good old days of going into a shop to buy a book or a CD, I'm starting to detest online shopping. For starters buying clothes is so awkward, especially if you're female - every shop has a different size range, so whilst you could be a size 10 in one, you're a size 14 in others. If what you buy doesn't fit you can't even take it to a store, you have to pay to post it back, so you're losing out money-wise.
I also can't stand things like the Kindle. Don't get me wrong, I love my Nexus 7 but I will never, ever buy a book on there. I love books, and I love being able to have a whole bookcase full of them, it's like an accomplishment for me to have so many. I'd also go and pay a bit extra at Waterstones to on Amazon any day. The staff at Waterstones are always really helpful and friendly, and if they don't have a book they order in for me. Last time I tried to order a book from Amazon they tried to tell me my address doesn't exist or the courier was unable to access (I live with Clock'd, yet he never seems to have any trouble)
I also think it's because I'm so impatient. Honestly, I'm like Scott Pilgrim sitting by the door waiting for it to arrive as soon as I've ordered.
I hate what the high street has become now too. Any new shop in our town is either another charity store (they're closing down because of lack of donations!) or coffee shop. We have 3 costas within 5 minutes walking distance of each other; I estimate there to be at least 15 different coffee shops just on the main high street. And when Woolworths closed down it turned into a 99p store, with a Poundland round the corner.
The kindle is possibly the greatest gadget I own.
I used to be like you, hated the idea of it but then i started travelling more with work and resented finishing a book and having nothing more to read that week so i asked for one as a gift two Christmases ago.
Then i realised I'm a lover of reading books rather than just watching them collect dust on a shelf.
I find a read more, faster and everywhere I go using a kindle. No longer do I have to choose between a set of books when I'm going on a trip away, I bring them all with me... In something that fits into my jeans pocket that can be whipped out for a quick read in a pub, cafe, bus stop...whatever.
I still buy books sure and I do swap books with workmates but I'd say 99.9999% of all reading I do is now completed on the kindle. It's also superb for unknown authors and discovering new books.
One thing it is a bit pants on are reference books, much prefer being able to write notes on post its and mark pages, rather than the digital equivalent.
Quote from: Beanissocoollike on January 16, 2013, 20:45:42 PM
For starters buying clothes is so awkward, especially if you're female - every shop has a different size range, so whilst you could be a size 10 in one, you're a size 14 in others. If what you buy doesn't fit you can't even take it to a store, you have to pay to post it back, so you're losing out money-wise.
A lot of Online stores now do Collect+ or similar, you buy an item of clothing online and it has a free return slip with it, you just attach it and take it to your nearest Collect+ store, which is usually a Londis/Spar/Costcutters type local shop.
Other companies that have physical stores will let you return to store for a refund/exchange also.
Quote from: M3ta7h3ad on January 18, 2013, 11:56:37 AM
The kindle is possibly the greatest gadget I own.
I used to be like you, hated the idea of it but then i started travelling more with work and resented finishing a book and having nothing more to read that week so i asked for one as a gift two Christmases ago.
Then i realised I'm a lover of reading books rather than just watching them collect dust on a shelf.
I find a read more, faster and everywhere I go using a kindle. No longer do I have to choose between a set of books when I'm going on a trip away, I bring them all with me... In something that fits into my jeans pocket that can be whipped out for a quick read in a pub, cafe, bus stop...whatever.
I still buy books sure and I do swap books with workmates but I'd say 99.9999% of all reading I do is now completed on the kindle. It's also superb for unknown authors and discovering new books.
One thing it is a bit pants on are reference books, much prefer being able to write notes on post its and mark pages, rather than the digital equivalent.
I understand why people like the kindle, it's great for being able to take it everywhere and having loads of books that are considerably cheaper at times than buying, but there's just something about books I love. I'm one of those weirdos who likes to smell books and magazines, and I actually find I read actual books better than on my tablet (probably something to do with my awful eyesight and wearing glasses).
Also, the books I buy never spend much time on the shelf, I like to go back and read them over and over - my hardback copy of The Goblet of Fire is falling apart now.
It's all down to personal preference really!
Quote from: Bacon on January 19, 2013, 09:51:53 AM
A lot of Online stores now do Collect+ or similar, you buy an item of clothing online and it has a free return slip with it, you just attach it and take it to your nearest Collect+ store, which is usually a Londis/Spar/Costcutters type local shop.
Other companies that have physical stores will let you return to store for a refund/exchange also.
I've never heard of those! Yeah, I mean places like Debenhams you can take them back to, but I do a lot of clothes shopping at online only places such as Boohoo, and then some stores don't have a shop nearby.
I bought Nige a pair of Ted Baker slippers which ended up being too small for him, but the closest TB to us is an outlet and wouldn't take them back so we had no choice ):
Detatched Retina + -7.5 Right -13 Left eye means you can't blame your eyesight for this one :)
That's one thing I dislike about the kindle is that the books tend not to be any cheaper :( they're mostly the same price or maybe a pound or two off but not much in it. It's space for me I'd love to re read my books but when I already have loads of storage boxes of books at my parents and another 5 here along with my bookcase and others dotted about I don't get to re read that many. The kindle just works for me I guess.
One day when I can afford my own place I'll have a dedicated library but that's a while off :)
Quote from: M3ta7h3ad on January 18, 2013, 11:56:37 AM
In something that fits into my jeans pocket that can be whipped out for a quick read in a pub, cafe, bus stop...whatever.
Just how big are your jeans?!?! Tbh I find the kindle quite large in the scheme of things. It's thin and light, but it still needs to be carried around in my backpack. I'm not even sure if my cargo trousers pockets would fit it!
Quote from: zpyder on January 19, 2013, 17:35:59 PM
Quote from: M3ta7h3ad on January 18, 2013, 11:56:37 AM
In something that fits into my jeans pocket that can be whipped out for a quick read in a pub, cafe, bus stop...whatever.
Just how big are your jeans?!?! Tbh I find the kindle quite large in the scheme of things. It's thin and light, but it still needs to be carried around in my backpack. I'm not even sure if my cargo trousers pockets would fit it!
Er normal no frills tesco f&f jobbos. Fits in the normal front pockets just fine, and back pockets too.
It also fits in my normal work/suit trouser pockets.
I have the kindle keyboard with wifi+3G, just in case you have a different model but other than the fire I think I have the largest model they do.
Hilco has taken control of HMV
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21141209