It's not looking good for HMV...

Simple. Sort out pricing! If they did their online prices in store they'd see business rise. I don't even walk in their stores any more because I know Bluray new releases are going to be £17-25, which will be available elsewhere cheaper online, and everything else is cheaper on their own website.

It just seems stupid that they're seeing losses when they're the only music stores on the high street. Bad management.

Is their website run by them? I tried to get Waterstones to match their online price instore and was told the online Waterstones was run by a different company but was allowed to use the branding. I don't know how true this is but maybe HMV have a similar setup?

There's a very simple reason online purchases are cheaper compared with high street and it's VAT (or the lack of it on purchases below £18 from the likes of Amazon, Play and even HMV online). Might not last long though - see this article.

So it's not bad management, just the differing tax laws of online and high street purchases.

 

The whole problem is the overheads they are facing by simply being on the high street.  Perhaps they are needing to strike a balance by lowering their prices a little to get more customers in.  I love buying software be it cds, blurays and Xbox 360 games.  I do use itunes for music but would never buy a film online!!

bobbyg81:

Is their website run by them? I tried to get Waterstones to match their online price instore and was told the online Waterstones was run by a different company but was allowed to use the branding. I don't know how true this is but maybe HMV have a similar setup?

Quite correct. HMV online are ran out of the Channel Islands (I think Play are too), they are a different part of the company. As I've said before though, we can't afford to lose our High Street retailers. Many on here rely on foot traffic for their business and I'd hate to see them go through the same troubles that music & book retailers are having.

Now, this wife swapping business. Mine doesn't like "cables everywhere" and "those ugly speakers". Will this be a problem? 

Lee H:

Now, this wife swapping business. Mine doesn't like "cables everywhere" and "those ugly speakers". Will this be a problem? 

 

ooops, wrong thread! 

Lee H:

bobbyg81:

Is their website run by them? I tried to get Waterstones to match their online price instore and was told the online Waterstones was run by a different company but was allowed to use the branding. I don't know how true this is but maybe HMV have a similar setup?

Quite correct. HMV online are ran out of the Channel Islands (I think Play are too), they are a different part of the company. As I've said before though, we can't afford to lose our High Street retailers. Many on here rely on foot traffic for their business and I'd hate to see them go through the same troubles that music & book retailers are having.

Now, this wife swapping business. Mine doesn't like "cables everywhere" and "those ugly speakers". Will this be a problem? 

It could be. Mine positively encourages hifi and even likes the ATCs. 

I was in an HMV shop last weekend and to be honest their prices apart from a few specials ... were 'out of the window', way expensive compared to a whole host of places... so compared to other, more resonable pricing shops ...if I had the 'power' ... I'd close HMV.

They like so many others seem to miss the point of good retail ... lower pricing on more goods = better sales and happier customers, happy customers will frequent your premises more and will be more inclined to spend there again,  better sales = better profit,  simplz as the wee meercat would say.

Haha,if only it was that simple.

professorhat:

There's a very simple reason online purchases are cheaper compared with high street and it's VAT (or the lack of it on purchases below £18 from the likes of Amazon, Play and even HMV online). Might not last long though - see this article.

So it's not bad management, just the differing tax laws of online and high street purchases.

 

Hmmm. It does change things a bit. Having said that, I still think HMV is run badly. They're the only retailer on the high street for music, so they should be in a rather strong position. But high prices prevent them from being in that position. I'm certain their profit margins are much higher than other luxury items, so they need to look at that and accept they have to make less profit and get more people through the door. It's not like they have highly paid and knowledgable staff to maintain....

professorhat:

There's a very simple reason online purchases are cheaper compared with high street and it's VAT (or the lack of it on purchases below £18 from the likes of Amazon, Play and even HMV online). Might not last long though - see this article.

So it's not bad management, just the differing tax laws of online and high street purchases.

 

What you say is true, the current system is unfair. However, even if HMV was as cheap as Amazon, I would still find  shopping online so much more convenient - quicker, better selection, no driving, listen to excerpts etc that I would not shop there.

hammill:

professorhat:

There's a very simple reason online purchases are cheaper compared with high street and it's VAT (or the lack of it on purchases below £18 from the likes of Amazon, Play and even HMV online). Might not last long though - see this article.

So it's not bad management, just the differing tax laws of online and high street purchases.

What you say is true, the current system is unfair. However, even if HMV was as cheap as Amazon, I would still find  shopping online so much more convenient - quicker, better selection, no driving, listen to excerpts etc that I would not shop there.

I do agree to an extent - since I work mostly from home, ordering online for most things is a darn sight easier than going out to the shops. On the other hand, when I am out shopping generally, if prices were about the same, I would probably at least take a look in HMV - even if it were £1 or £2 extra for certain items (to cover the overheads of running the shop compared to a warehouse), I'd consider that okay for getting it there and then. The trouble is, because I know Blu-Rays will be anywhere between £5 and £20 more, I don't even bother looking now as I don't see the point knowing I'll never buy from them.

However, unlike dedicated Hi-Fi shops where a live demo is essential before buying, I wouldn't really lament there not being any HMVs on the high street any more - I am quite happy to buy CDs, DVDs and the like online and have no need to browse the physical box before making my choice.

 

im going to buy the dark knight soundtrack tmw from a local shop for e15 (ive been using a friends copy), i can probably get it for e11 online but dont mind paying that little bit extra to have it straight away and help local business in a small way. but the price of blu-rays locally is rediculous, if they dont get real ill be buying all of them online in the future..

Agreed. If Blurays were a pound or two more on the high street, I'd buy them, as I'd be guaranteed no damage during posting, and I can take them back if there's a problem without waiting for the post. Also, if I suddenly decide I wanted to watch a certain film that evening, I could just go out and get it rather than worry whether I could save £5-10 by ordering online, which I would rather do even if it meant waiting for it. last time I looked (admittedly a while ago) Avatar was £28 on Bluray in HMV - unacceptable given it was far cheaper online and with it being such a mediocre film - not that I'd buy it anyway.

Still the thin end of the wedge though David. Imagine people coming in to you time after time for a demo and then saying, "Thanks, I'll go order it online now as it''s cheaper."