HMV in administration - hope you've no vouchers!

[green1]

Don't worry about puns. Just conduct yourself properly on this thread. (This is all off the record by the way.)

 

[BigonaBianchi]

so all the high street shop units will have to be used as something...housing is the obvious one...but if we all get our main shop at the hyper market out of town or online whats left on the high streets...restaurants..pubs...erm...offices..

 

[Archie_tect]

Sounds pretty desolate...

 

[green1]

so all the high street shop units will have to be used as something...housing is the obvious one...but if we all get our main shop at the hyper market out of town or online whats left on the high streets...restaurants..pubs...erm...offices..

They'll still be certain things that I wouldn't buy online without trying it first. Cricket bats and guitars are 2 that immediately spring to my mind.

 

[ianrauk]

Hilco, who bought the HMV Canada group are rumoured to be interested in buying the chain.

 

[just jim]

I suppose if they had been innovative enough earlier on they may have given Amazon a run for their tax-free money, such was the relatively high respect for the brand.

 

[ASC1951]

They'll still be certain things that I wouldn't buy online without trying it first. Cricket bats and guitars are 2 that immediately spring to my mind.

I'm a bit old fashioned with that. I won't go and try something in a shop unless I'm going to buy it from that shop.

 

[Archie_tect]

Perhaps HMG should just put an import tax levy on every Amazon/ play.com/ Primark import etc... that would level the playing field.

 

[ASC1951]

Perhaps HMG should just put an import tax levy on every Amazon/ play.com/ Primark import etc... that would level the playing field.

Yebbut. Import tax just enriches inefficient companies at the expense of the citizens. I mean, why on earth are we paying 10% import duty on garlic, ffs? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20976887

 

[Archie_tect]

French surrender-monkey tax.

 

[Archie_tect]

Yebbut. Import tax just enriches inefficient companies at the expense of the citizens. I mean, why on earth are we paying 10% import duty on garlic, ffs? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20976887

Incentive/ encouragement to grow/make things ourselves....

 

[ianrauk]

Along with Hilco (HMV Canada), other companies rumoured to be bidding are Private equity groups Endless, Better Capital and Oakley Capital (They own Time Out).

 

[ASC1951]

.... other companies rumoured to be bidding are ... Better Capital..

Ah, I have a small fistful of Better Capital shares, run by the refreshingly plain-speaking Jon Moulton. I see that I am up 40.43% in 30 months, which is better than a poke in the eye. And a lot better than HMV vouchers.

 

[nickyboy]

They'll still be certain things that I wouldn't buy online without trying it first. Cricket bats and guitars are 2 that immediately spring to my mind.

You'd be surprised. Bought new bat for son online. Read the reviews first, make sure build quality was ok. Then specify exactly what sort of bat you want - even down to grip colour, sweet spot position. 3 weeks later, custom made bat arrives. Full return policy but it is excellent and great value

 

[nickyboy]

Incentive/ encouragement to grow/make things ourselves....

One man's incentivisation is another man's protectionism. Afraid I agree with ASC1951, import taxes effectively get the consumer to give a subsidy to inefficient producers
HMV management screwed up royally. They had a great brand and could have become, for example, HMV movies instead of Netflix or whoever. But they underestimated the impact of broadband roll out and the effect of physical media sales