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HMV 'confident of finding solution' | HMV 'confident of finding solution' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The boss of HMV has said he is confident of finding a solution to the embattled retailer's troubles. | The boss of HMV has said he is confident of finding a solution to the embattled retailer's troubles. |
Trevor Moore said management had begun working with administrators Deloitte. | Trevor Moore said management had begun working with administrators Deloitte. |
"We remain convinced we can find a successful business outcome," he told journalists. "The intention is to continue to trade the stores." | "We remain convinced we can find a successful business outcome," he told journalists. "The intention is to continue to trade the stores." |
HMV revealed late on Monday that it intended to appoint an administrator. The firm has struggled against online competition. | HMV revealed late on Monday that it intended to appoint an administrator. The firm has struggled against online competition. |
Mr Moore said the board would do whatever they could to support staff, while Deloitte assesses the prospects for the business and seeks potential buyers. | Mr Moore said the board would do whatever they could to support staff, while Deloitte assesses the prospects for the business and seeks potential buyers. |
"I would like to personally pay tribute to the 4,500 people who work for HMV. Clearly this is a very worrying time for them and their families." | "I would like to personally pay tribute to the 4,500 people who work for HMV. Clearly this is a very worrying time for them and their families." |
'Disappointing' Christmas | 'Disappointing' Christmas |
The company has said that it is not accepting gift vouchers or issuing any more. | The company has said that it is not accepting gift vouchers or issuing any more. |
Mr Moore did not reveal how many customers held the vouchers but said: "We're working to reconcile that number." | |
Over the past week, the company had redeemed a significant amount of vouchers - more than they sold - he said, but admitted they had still been selling them up until Monday. | |
But Allianz Insurance, which underwrites HMV's extended warranties, said it would continue to honour insurance claims made under extended warranty policies taken out by HMV customers. | |
Mr Moore said that trading over Christmas had been disappointing, particularly so in technology products. | |
"We had a very limited supply of two key brands of tablets," he said, without specifying the brands. | "We had a very limited supply of two key brands of tablets," he said, without specifying the brands. |
He said that while HMV's problems had been well documented, "the events of last night will have come as a shock to many of you". | He said that while HMV's problems had been well documented, "the events of last night will have come as a shock to many of you". |
Chief financial officer Ian Kenyon added that the company had received "amazing support" from its suppliers. | Chief financial officer Ian Kenyon added that the company had received "amazing support" from its suppliers. |
Brand in decline | Brand in decline |
HMV is the last remaining national music retailer. It has 230 stores in the UK and Ireland, as well as nine shops under the Fopp brand. | HMV is the last remaining national music retailer. It has 230 stores in the UK and Ireland, as well as nine shops under the Fopp brand. |
News of its imminent administration has been greeted with sadness by customers and those in the music industry. | News of its imminent administration has been greeted with sadness by customers and those in the music industry. |
Founded in 1921, it has been one of the most recognisable brands on the High Street, with its iconic dog and gramophone trademark. | |
But many analysts say its demise has been inevitable over the past 20 years as it failed to embrace the shift towards online sales and digital downloads. | But many analysts say its demise has been inevitable over the past 20 years as it failed to embrace the shift towards online sales and digital downloads. |
The expense of having so many stores, and therefore a large rent bill, is likely to have contributed to its decline, they say. | |
As its debts mounted, HMV sold off parts of the business, notably its live entertainment arm and the Waterstones book chain. | As its debts mounted, HMV sold off parts of the business, notably its live entertainment arm and the Waterstones book chain. |
Last week, the group announced a month-long sale with 25% off prices, sparking worries that it needed to shift stock after poor Christmas trading. | Last week, the group announced a month-long sale with 25% off prices, sparking worries that it needed to shift stock after poor Christmas trading. |
HMV follows electrical goods firm Comet and camera chain Jessops into administration, but while those two companies have ceased trading, HMV hopes that a buyer can be found and the business will be able to continue on the High Street. | |
"There are likely to be very many options for this business in the coming days," Mr Moore said. |