MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Two firms are reported to be in discussions to rescue bankrupt rental firm Blockbuster UK. The prime candidate is reportedly GA Europe, the restructuring firm that administrators PwC brought in to handle the recent closure of Jessops. "GA bosses are understood to believe they can successfully run a rump Blockbuster …
Read More »Flipkart begins Xbox Live combo deals
Online retailer Flipkart is now offering several top Xbox 360 games in combination with Xbox Live Gold subscriptions at discounted rates. Thirteen first-party Xbox 360 games are available now bundled with with three-month Xbox Live subscriptions. The retailer is offering up to 32% off on these combos. Included in the …
Read More »Hilco acquires HMV debt
The future of HMV on the UK High Street appears to have been saved. HMV Canada owner Hilco has acquired the chain’s debts, giving it control of the company. The Financial Times reports that the move to take control of the money owed to Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland …
Read More »UPDATE: Deloitte backtracks on HMV gift card block
Retailer HMV will once again begin honouring gift cards as of tomorrow (January 22nd). The move is a victory for consumer rights and public opinion. The decision to block gift cards and stop honouring store credit was confirmed the morning after the chain’s collapse into administration. However, high-profile cases such …
Read More »What went wrong at Play.com?
It was early 2009 when Play.com was at the height of its power. The National Consumer Satisfaction Index had Play.com rated above Amazon and iTunes as the No.1 online retailer, while Verdict Research named it as the UK’s second favourite music and video retailer behind Amazon. That year it would …
Read More »TIMELINE: HMV’s battle for survival
HMV’s protracted battle for survival ended in failure this week as the chain entered administration. The music, video and games specialist is now continuing to trade as administrators Deloitte seeks a buyer. It follows two years of turmoil for the entertainment giant, which has suffered in the wake of collapsing …
Read More »GAME looking to acquire HMV stores after stronger than expected Xmas
OpCapita owned retailer GAME has approached administrators Deloitte about the possible acquisition of some HMV stores. Game Retail chief executive Martyn Gibbs confirmed the move, though refused to give any numbers. It seems, however, that between 40-45 locations are being targeted in towns where GAME does not currently have a …
Read More »MP accuses HMV of theft over gift card scandal
The Conservative MP for North Oxfordshire Tony Baldry has accused troubled retail HMV of theft. The charges relate to the retailer’s continued sale of gift vouchers until the day it went into administration and then the subsequent decision by administrators Deloitte to block their use in store. I suspect, like …
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 »Electronics sales boost Argos Q4 takings
Home Retail Group has announced that total sales grew 1.6 per cent to 1.744m between September 2nd and January 5th. Internet sales for the year accounted for 42 per cent of total sales. "Argos had a good peak trading period building on its first half performance,” says Terry Duddy, Home …
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