MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
This week’s MCV isnow available to view online – and it features Disney vs Activision as the battle for video game toys begins. We also analyse the challenges faced by HMV, THQ and Play.com and run our exclusive 2012 retail charts. We’ve listed the contents in full below. Download our …
Read More »His Master’s Void: HMV’s struggle is a warning about retail consolidation
The damage done by the potential evaporation of HMV on the High Street will hit closer to home in the music and film markets than it will for games. Should the worst happen, the material impact for games could be shrugged off, albeit annoyingly, for many. But in DVD/Blu-ray and …
Read More »Now HMV Ireland goes into receivership
HMV has closed its 16 Irish stores and has appointed receivers, putting 300 jobs at risk. However, whereas the administration process – such as that employed by the British arm of HMV – is designed to find a way of keeping a business operating, receivership will mean the end of …
Read More »Angry granddad takes games from HMV store after his vouchers were refused
An enraged grandfather yesterday stormed out of a Dublin HMV store with three games in hand after staff refused to accept his voucher. The Irish Independent reports that Eric Nolan purchased a €40 HMV voucher for his grandson for Christmas and was attempting to spend it on three games. However, …
Read More »HMV.com taken offline
Administrators Deloitte have taken HMV’s website offline. In its place is a message explaining that: HMV.com has been suspended following the appointment of the Joint Administrators. No purchases can be made until further notice.” HMV management has previously insisted that existing orders are still being processed and will be honoured. …
Read More »Buyers eye Gamerbase swoop should HMV fall
HMV’s Gamerbase concessions could be rescued even if the retail giant closes. The tournament zones – which can be found located besides HMV stores in London, Manchester, Glasgow or Edinburgh – has already attracted attention from at least one prospective buyer, MCV has been told. Although no official approach has …
Read More »HMV demise could kill 4% of games market; High Street entertainment share would plummet
The cost to the UK video games market should HMV fail to find a buyer could be as little as four per cent. That’s thanks to HMV’s relatively small share of the UK games market. Nonetheless, its demise would theoretically leave the High Street with just a 16 per cent …
Read More »Deloitte warns of tough market as it is officially appointed HMV administrator
HMV boss Trevor Moore may have delivered an upbeat message to journalists yesterday, but administrator Deloitte has warned that it’s a tough market for entertainment retailers at the moment. The retailer is burdened by around 200m of debt and still seems to be appealing to the goodwill of suppliers in …
Read More »Hilco linked to HMV store acquisition
The owner of HMV Canada is reportedly interested in acquiring some of the troubled chain’s UK stores. The Financial Times reports, however, that Hilco has not yet been approached by administrators Deloitte. The paper adds that as well as asking suppliers for a 300m bailout prior to falling into administration, …
Read More »ERA: "This may not be the end of HMV’s story"
Kim Bayley, the director general of the Entertainment Retailers Association, has claimed that HMV is too important for music and video companies to let it disappear. Highlighting that physical sales still account for 75 per cent of those markets, Bayley argues that HMV’s potential loss from the High Street would …
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