The future of these stores are joint PC World/Currys shops. I was quite impressed by the new look stores.

I don't think it's about that, though. It's more about getting a fair deal. Fair enough, the mark-up of running a high street shop is more than the internet but most people are going to do the cheapest, most convenient thing so if HMV's shareholders, in this example, are not prepared to not make as much profit then they're going to see people abandoning them for music and DVD.


I seen this happening recently, yeah. It seems to be to be more of a cost cutting exercise because running two brands from the same shop is cheaper than having them separated.

Still, it doesn't excuse their massively inflated prices for peripherals

BHS is a complete mystery to me. It is truly the land that time (and fashion) forgot. I swear they are still selling the same shirts and jumpers my dad used to buy in the 1970s, and no, it's not because its retro fashionaable!

Indeed.

It's never really moved on has it.

You have Dunnes, M&S, H&M and all these stores now. Even M&S is constantly trying to reinvent itself.

We have a huge BHS store here, and it's always completely empty. I really don't understand how they're still going. Their clothing is awful. Even the children's section is outdated and horribly overpriced.

Bon Marche is another one. *shudder*

BHS is wonderful, and I always find a gem or 2 there. They do a lot of nice things at christmas

HMV is not actually losing money - it is due to make pre-tax profits of £38m. A firm like that may offload stores to bring back money and reduce it's borrowing - but that is a long way from actually going into administration.

With the Tory Dems it will be just one big bust.

Well to be fair, its not looking good for HMV is it. Third profit warning this year.. it has attempted to diversify its operation into DVDs / Games as music sales slumped, but what else can it do to survive?

Are you serious about games?

Last six months has been it's busiest time:

*Release of Xbox Kinect
*PS3 Move
*Nintendo 3DS
*Ipad/Ipod touch

Kinect has boosted gaming sales and it's the fastest ever selling electrical product. HMV's figures probably cover xmas wait until gaming sales are released.

Yes - and its still finding trading conditions "difficult" - why would they announce a third profit warning if everything was going swimmingly? Imagine the state they'd be in without those gaming products - and what huge releases are on the horizon to help them turn their sales around? Nothing. And remember, the Government cuts haven't actually taken place yet, double dip here we go..

The snow really hurt retailers over Christmas so that was one.

The rise in VAT meant people spent less so that was another. I think all retailers are feeling the pinch no money = the stores can't stay open.

Focus was in administration and now some stores sold to Wickes:

http://www.accountancyage.com/aa/new...-stores-wickes

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...s-at-risk.html

B&Q bought about 30 stores both Wickes and B&M only bought about ten stores each. 120 stores without a buyer will close.

They have been squeezed out the market by B&Q and Homebase. Both have been heavily advertising on tv.

According to some newspapers that Focus DIY have gone bust. The administrators couldn't find a buyer so they are having to shut the 120 stores at the loss of 3,000 jobs. Starting this weekend they are having a closing down sales to try and get rid of stock.

This was my worst fear

Any confirmation of the closing down sale this weekend?

The Bolton branch of Focus DIY closed at least 2 years ago and the premises have been empty ever since. And maybe it's a sign of me getting older but I now shop for clothes at BHS. It's good quality and cheaper than M and S I feel

Was the Bolton branch a big mish mash of things? Kitchens, bedrooms, clothes, milk, bread?

It's this weekend.

What days?

I heard it either starts this weekend or next Wednesday. No doubt until most of the stock is sold off.

Starts tomorrow! I'll be there tomorrow to see what i can get.

Supermarket Sweep in most cases

I have just been on Focus DIY's website and it is saying that it is business as usual in there stores. Somebody is fibbing here.