The last high-street music chain is facing tough financial times, and the closure of several shops. We ask record shoppers what it means to them
Could HMV be the next high-street casualty? Yesterday brought reports that suppliers to the beleaguered music, film and books retailer are now being denied credit insurance ? two weeks after HMV announced it would be closing at least 40 stores this year (around one in 10). But what do shoppers and music fans think about HMV's possible demise? I headed to the flagship store on London's Oxford Street to find out.
Jana Louw, 19, student from South Africa
"I love HMV! It's really well laid out ? you come in looking for one thing, and end up wanting to buy everything. Like today: I came in to buy the NME Radar CD for my brother, but I've picked up Imelda May's album for just �4, and now I'm checking out the books. It would be terrible if it closed down. I do listen to music online, but only to check out one or two songs and then decide whether I want to buy the whole album ? there's nothing like actually owning the record."
Natalie Mason, 22, shop assistant from Sheffield
"I've been really shocked to hear about HMV's financial problems. I've shopped here for CDs and DVDs for as long as I can remember ? I got the latest Harry Potter film here a couple of weeks ago for just �6, and Sex and the City 2 for �12.99. I don't shop for music or films online; I just prefer the whole experience of going into a shop. The assistants here are really helpful ? you don't get that level of personal service from a website."
Mirko Santamaria, 27, barman from Italy
"I've been living in the UK for about a year, and I often pop into HMV for CDs. They don't always have what I'm after ? today, they didn't have the album I wanted by the rock band dEUS, which was disappointing. I do watch music videos online, on YouTube, and often buy albums on Amazon. But I still think it would be a shame if HMV disappeared from the high street altogether."
Dominic Holloway, 55, musician from London
"This particular HMV has a fantastic metal section, and the staff really know their stuff ? today, I only had to tell a guy I was looking for the new album by Architects, and he knew right away that it wasn't out until next week. I do buy CDs online sometimes, but sites such as Amazon don't always have the obscure music I'm after. I don't download music, whether legally or illegally ? as a musician, I know the pressure that online downloads are putting the industry under."
Diya Luguterah, 28, banker from London
"I'm here to get DVDs ? I've got Fame for my Mum, Anastasia for my friend's daughter, and House and Family Guy for myself. They were all on sale, so I got a really good price. I used to work in a record shop myself ? not HMV. It's been really sad seeing stores close down, one by one ? I don't want HMV to be the next."
Gabriela Manfredini, 17, student from Brazil
"I've only been in the UK for a month, but I've already been into this store loads of times. We do have large record shops like this back home, but they don't have the same variety: today, I found everything I was looking for ? albums by Jimi Hendrix and the Doors ? and it's great that they sell books, too. I do download music, but it's not the same as owning the original CD, especially when it comes to the sort of classic rock albums that I'm into."
Olly Farrington, 37, advertisement writer from London
"I used to work near here, and it was always a good way to kill a lunch hour. Now I mostly buy music online, from iTunes, or listen on Spotify or YouTube. But I do feel a bit guilty about that ? HMV is a high-street institution, and it's good to know I can come here when I want to. I've been sad to see the way Oxford Street has changed over the last few years ? loads of good stores have closed, and it's gone more downmarket."
Andrew Parsons, 22, student from London
"You get a much better price from online stores such as Amazon and Play.com. I'm here to get Two and a Half Men on DVD ? it's around �8 on Amazon, but in here it's �12.99. But my girlfriend wants it today, so I'll have to get it. I come here about once a week on average, but usually just to have a look at what's out, before I go and buy it online. The staff here are good, but if HMV goes under, I won't miss it."
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