Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Off Topic Rather depressing... HMV on the brink

Sad news for those of us who stil enjoy physical media... HMV calls in Administrators

I remember Bob being quoted as saying that DVD gained widespread adoption, not for it's superior quality to VHS, but for convenience. Sadly the same periorities are at work with Netflix and Spotify etc. eroding the market even further for physical media.

The HMV subsidiary "Fopp" has been my favourite shop for years now, hoping it has a stay of execution as it occupies more of a specialist niche in the market.

Cheers

George

Recently, I bought a few CD’s directly from them simply because I was in the neighbourhood. Typically, I buy my music from Amazon as they have a greater choice within a given genre.

When HMV went under six years ago, I noticed an immediate jump in the prices of CDs on Amazon. Apart from the "top ten" in supermarkets, they had the field to themselves. I know you can find anything on Amazon, and often at a better price, but on principle I'd rather not (and I'm avoiding my soap box at this point)

Cheers

George

I disagree. I wanted to buy the latest Larry Carlton album. Amazon’s price: £45. I’ll pass.

Managed to avoid Amazon (and any other non high street retailer) this Christmas whilst shopping for sent and suggesting received pressies.

Yes, it is sad - the number of shops on the High Street that I find remotely interesting is reducing rapidly.

Streaming is convenient but the HD soundtrack on BR discs (or its derived rip) is vastly superior to anything that I heard from a streamed source so hopefully they'll be around for sometime yet. Amazon have too much market power now and I always look for alternatives.

I don’t have a problem with Amazon personally, I do actively avoid shops linked with Mike Ashley though.
YMMV

Cliff, I agree the high streets are boring, where I live they have just redeveloped the high street promising exciting shops, currently most are available for rent and only two have opened, Waterstones bookshop and an Artisan bakery, which is 75% tea/coffee room and a counter selling cakes...... just like every other coffee shop including the one on the opposite side of the road!

Happy New (online) Year 🎈

The local council killed the high street in the IoW by getting rid of half hour parking rates, the minimum period is now 1 hour.

Councils need to scrap business rates and parking.

Too late they (Councils) will realise the world has changed and they need to re think town centres.

Yes we have far too many shops - convert some into affordable housing and community projects and make what is remaining more accessible without cars and delivery vehicles.

‘On soapbox’,
Affordable housing is only affordable once namely to the first purchaser if/when they sell it will be at full market value and you are back to square one?
‘Off soapbox’.