HMV Finally closing down for good?

We now live in an era where digital media is king and we have high speed data connections. Although I like to have physical media for somethings it's always been inevitable that due to the ease of digital media the demand for physical would practically cease.

As others have said, HMV failed to adapt to this and by not learning from the other stores that collasped because of similar failures they're heading the same way.

Blockbusters will go the same way soon too. They were offered in on the ground floor with one of the on-demand services (either netflix/lovefilm) and they turned the offer down foolishly.
 
Sad to see it go. In a way it makes me kinda sad or worried about the future of Fopp. However I don't mind HMV but I feel sorry for the jobs that will be going
 
simulatorman said:
It was the place to buy music/films but my loyalty changed as soon as I discover Play and then never looked back. It’s surprising how they didn’t react to the market change but then with so many shops and staff they just got left behind.
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Totally agree. I remember about 18-24 months ago some left wing feminist HMV employee being interviewed saying that people needed to remember HMV charged more as their staff had such brilliant music knowledge.

Clearly she hadnt heard of Shazam which almost overnight got rid of this need (many people here remember dialong 2580 and hearing 'point your mobile at the music ... *beep* !)
 
Resident said:
We now live in an era where digital media is king and we have high speed data connections. Although I like to have physical media for somethings it's always been inevitable that due to the ease of digital media the demand for physical would practically cease.

As others have said, HMV failed to adapt to this and by not learning from the other stores that collasped because of similar failures they're heading the same way.

Blockbusters will go the same way soon too. They were offered in on the ground floor with one of the on-demand services (either netflix/lovefilm) and they turned the offer down foolishly.
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For things like birthdays, christmas, where you want to physically give someone a present, physical media is just "nicer". Giving someone a gift card, or a voucher to download something doesn't have the same warm fuzzy feeling to me.
 
Resident said:
We now live in an era where digital media is king and we have high speed data connections. Although I like to have physical media for somethings it's always been inevitable that due to the ease of digital media the demand for physical would practically cease.

.....


Blockbusters will go the same way soon too. They were offered in on the ground floor with one of the on-demand services (either netflix/lovefilm) and they turned the offer down foolishly.
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Genuinely amazed that people still use Blockbusters. It must be 10 years since I visited one.
 
Conanius said:
Genuinely amazed that people still use Blockbusters. It must be 10 years since I visited one.
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How would people like (for example) my parents get access to new films without a rental place like Blockbusters?

They do not have an internet connected TV, they do not understand anything about "the internet", their DSL is around 1.5-2mbit due to their country location. The barely know how to insert a dvd into the player and press play.

Blockbusters will surely have a huge market with older people like them around?
 
Raymond Lin said:
For things like birthdays, christmas, where you want to physically give someone a present, physical media is just "nicer". Giving someone a gift card, or a voucher to download something doesn't have the same warm fuzzy feeling to me.
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No it doesn't have the same feeling, but if you can get the same album cheaper online, you will purely due to the current economic climate.

I went in hmv the other day looking for an xbox 360 250gb, sainsburys have them for £145 and hmv we're still charging £199. I know where i'll be going for it!!
 
The hassle of actually having to drive to town, deal with the traffic queues, parking, etc etc - to get a physical present is just easier online and have it delivered to the door.

I'm surprised HMV have lasted thing long tbh
 
Jez said:
How would people like (for example) my parents get access to new films without a rental place like Blockbusters?

They do not have an internet connected TV, they do not understand anything about "the internet", their DSL is around 1.5-2mbit due to their country location. The barely know how to insert a dvd into the player and press play.

Blockbusters will surely have a huge market with older people like them around?
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Blockbuster might have an older market 'like them' but it's a decreasing market unfortunately. People are being swayed into the netflix/lovefilm/other streaming services due to it being easier, generally cheaper, and not having to leave the house.
 
Jez said:
How would people like (for example) my parents get access to new films without a rental place like Blockbusters?

They do not have an internet connected TV, they do not understand anything about "the internet", their DSL is around 1.5-2mbit due to their country location. The barely know how to insert a dvd into the player and press play.

Blockbusters will surely have a huge market with older people like them around?
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I just don't know *anyone* who rents films these days. Not even my 'rents.
 
[Darkend]Viper;23469493 said:
Blockbuster might have an older market 'like them' but it's a decreasing market unfortunately. People are being swayed into the netflix/lovefilm/other streaming services due to it being easier, generally cheaper, and not having to leave the house.
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I understand the market, i do not use Blockbusters either favouring downloaded content.

People like them will be around for another 20-30 years though, thats quite a while :p
 
Jez said:
How would people like (for example) my parents get access to new films without a rental place like Blockbusters?

They do not have an internet connected TV, they do not understand anything about "the internet", their DSL is around 1.5-2mbit due to their country location. The barely know how to insert a dvd into the player and press play.

Blockbusters will surely have a huge market with older people like them around?
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Lovefilm.
You don't need to understand the internet to use it. You go to the site select load of films and wait for them to get posted to you.

My parents use it, and neither are proficient at using the internet.

As for the DVD player aspect, there are some instructions I've left for them as to how to use it.
 
Jez said:
How would people like (for example) my parents get access to new films without a rental place like Blockbusters?

They do not have an internet connected TV, they do not understand anything about "the internet", their DSL is around 1.5-2mbit due to their country location. The barely know how to insert a dvd into the player and press play.

Blockbusters will surely have a huge market with older people like them around?
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But if they live out in the country then their nearest Blockbuster will probably be miles away?

Nice that lots of people are quite happy to see thousands of people out of work. Perhaps they can't afford to reduce their prices? Either because they'll be selling below their cost price or will only make 50p profit per item which just isn't sustainable? With the wealth of digital media capable devices I sometimes wonder why these places don't sell USB sticks with movies on them?
 
Blockbuster already offer a postal service like that dont they? The shops compliment it nicely for people like them.
 
I used to like going to the video shop and hiring a DVD / VHS when I was younger... Shame that will probably not exist in a few years at all. They need to sort out the quality of streamed films really because they are hardly HD quality and you get buffering etc. Not great.
 
I'm taking no chances, just went on HMV Pure Points and redeemed my 3 free tracks from their HMV digital service!

Phew! That was close.
 
Jez said:
Blockbuster already offer a postal service like that dont they? The shops compliment it nicely for people like them.
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I think so, but Lovefilm are highly regarded. I've never had an issue with them.

When I set my parents up a Lovefilm account, I sat with them and added maybe 60 films for them and now they just wait for 1 to come in the post and watch it.
 
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