Half of HMV stores may get a stay of execution

Half of HMV shops may be saved after buyout
The dog is half happy, half sad

It's a glass-half-full-glass-half-empty situation over at HMV HQ where its new owner is intending to save half of its high street shops.

We've done the maths (you're welcome) and this means that half of its high street shops will probably still be closed down.

The music retailer's new owners, Hilco, hasn't announced an official position on this however, so there's no word on which shops would stay and which would go.

Yo yo

It was no great surprise when Hilco bought HMV's debt after it went bust - the same company already owns HMV Canada and is obviously using the old Monopoly tactic to up its income.

Hilco is known for snapping up foundering high street firms - it did the same with Habitat, Borders and Woolworths, and is reportedly eyeing failed camera chain Jessops too.

Its strategy for HMV is to get music labels on board, as they rely on the chain to boost digital downloads with physical disc sales - the Mail on Sunday reports that Universal, Warner and Sony are considering a credit-based deal to allow HMV to buy CDs and DVD/Blu-ray discs in installments.

From ThisIsMoney via Gizmodo UK

News Editor (UK)

Former UK News Editor for TechRadar, it was a perpetual challenge among the TechRadar staff to send Kate (Twitter, Google+) a link to something interesting on the internet that she hasn't already seen. As TechRadar's News Editor (UK), she was constantly on the hunt for top news and intriguing stories to feed your gadget lust. Kate now enjoys life as a renowned music critic – her words can be found in the i Paper, Guardian, GQ, Metro, Evening Standard and Time Out, and she's also the author of 'Amy Winehouse', a biography of the soul star.