More HMV store closures expected by the end of the week

A fresh spate of HMV store closures and job losses are likely to be announced by the end of the week.

Retail Week reports that administrator Deloitte has apparently set a deadline of today for any expressions of interest in the retailer. Offers for HMV real estate will continue to be entertained until the end of the week, it is understood.

Somewhere in the region of 20 parties are said to be interested in a number of HMV stores, if not the chain itself.

GAME is known to be on the hunt for locations that fit its portfolio, while Dragons’ Den guru Theo Paphitis has also expressed interest.

However, it seems that HMV Canada owner Hilco is more or less the only name in the running for the acquisition of HMV as a going concern, having acquired the chain’s debts last week.

What shape a Hilco-owned HMV could take remains to be seen, although it is almost certainly looking to significantly downsize the firm.