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HMV on brink of second collapse in six years | HMV on brink of second collapse in six years |
(35 minutes later) | |
Music retailer HMV is poised to enter administration for the second time in six years, a move that would affect 2,200 staff at more than 120 stores. | Music retailer HMV is poised to enter administration for the second time in six years, a move that would affect 2,200 staff at more than 120 stores. |
HMV's sales have been hit by competition from streaming services and online retailers. | HMV's sales have been hit by competition from streaming services and online retailers. |
The BBC understands the company could appoint administrators as soon as Friday. | The BBC understands the company could appoint administrators as soon as Friday. |
In 2013, HMV was taken over by Hilco, which specialise in restructuring companies. | In 2013, HMV was taken over by Hilco, which specialise in restructuring companies. |
Hilco bought 141 stores from the chain, in a deal worth about £50m. | Hilco bought 141 stores from the chain, in a deal worth about £50m. |
The firm saw HMV host live events in store, with musicians including Kylie Minogue, Stormzy and The Darkness. | The firm saw HMV host live events in store, with musicians including Kylie Minogue, Stormzy and The Darkness. |
Those who have HMV vouchers or items to return may want to visit a shop as soon as possible. | |
Financial journalist Paul Lewis has advised spending the credit on HMV gift cards immediately. | |
According to consumer publication Which?, whether vouchers and returns will be accepted following administration depends on the administrators. | |
"The administrator's role is to try and save the company, and in doing so, it may take the decision not to accept returns." | |
'Sand not rocks' | 'Sand not rocks' |
Digital music revenue overtook sales of physical formats like CDs and records for the first time in 2012. | Digital music revenue overtook sales of physical formats like CDs and records for the first time in 2012. |
Since then, online shopping and downloads and streaming provided by platforms such as Amazon, Spotify and Netflix, have continued to eat into sales of physical music. | Since then, online shopping and downloads and streaming provided by platforms such as Amazon, Spotify and Netflix, have continued to eat into sales of physical music. |
Julie Palmer, partner at business consultancy Begbies Traynor, says the fall of HMV has been "coming for many years". | Julie Palmer, partner at business consultancy Begbies Traynor, says the fall of HMV has been "coming for many years". |
She added; "It has been revealed that the business turnaround has been built on a bed of sand rather than rocks." | She added; "It has been revealed that the business turnaround has been built on a bed of sand rather than rocks." |
Weak retailing | Weak retailing |
Richard Lim, Chief Executive, Retail Economics, said HMV's situation came amid a weak retailing climate: "Poor Christmas trading has claimed its first victim." | Richard Lim, Chief Executive, Retail Economics, said HMV's situation came amid a weak retailing climate: "Poor Christmas trading has claimed its first victim." |
While Christmas is normally a time of higher revenues for retailers, the number of shoppers hitting the post-Christmas sales dipped this year. | While Christmas is normally a time of higher revenues for retailers, the number of shoppers hitting the post-Christmas sales dipped this year. |
Britain's shops have also faced uncertainty over Brexit, which sparked a fall in the pound and therefore raised the price of imported goods, rising labour costs, higher business property taxes and unseasonably warm weather. | Britain's shops have also faced uncertainty over Brexit, which sparked a fall in the pound and therefore raised the price of imported goods, rising labour costs, higher business property taxes and unseasonably warm weather. |
HMV, known for its iconic logo featuring the "dog and trumpet", is Britain's last surviving national music retailer. | |
It was launched by English composer Edward Elgar in 1921, selling gramophones, radios and popular music hall recordings. | It was launched by English composer Edward Elgar in 1921, selling gramophones, radios and popular music hall recordings. |