HMV to introduce click and collect

Entertainment retailer HMV is to allow customers to order items online for pickup in their local store.

It’s a model already successfully utilised by other UK retailers such as Argos, PC World and Tesco.

Amongst other pledges in its recent financial report, HMV directors said they were committed to developing HMV’s online and multichannel offerings, particularly in light of the removal of LVCR (low value consignment relief) which will assist HMV to compete on a level playing field with pure internet competitors , and to offer improved services such as click-and-collect in stores”.

The change comes as HMV admits that its long-term future remains very uncertain.

The retailer predicts a 20 per cent decline in the physical audio market over the next 12 months, while it reckons the visual market will decline by 10-13 per cent in the same period.

Indeed, HMV described its recent performance in the games sector as particularly disappointing in both hardware and software, largely as a result of reduced stock availability” adding that the rate of growth of these products was insufficient to offset the declines elsewhere in the business”.

Outgoing HMV boss Simon Fox even admitted that he wouldn’t bet his house” on HMV still being in business come its centenary year in 2021.