HMV to Close All 102 Stores

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Sooo...what's the over/under on EB games?

Probably 90% of major video game purchases are still physical. They will be fine for some time.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Probably 90% of major video game purchases are still physical. They will be fine for some time.

According to a quick google search, in a US survey the ratio is 56% digital, 44% physical. In the UK however, their survey found it was 77% physical, 23% digital. The real number is probably somewhere in between.

[Resolute 14]

Pleh. I meant to restrict my comment to console - which is what EB Games sells. PC is overwhelmingly digital, which dramatically affects the overall ratio.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

What I also noticed is that for the most part the Salespeople there couldn't care less

No change there.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Buff

Chapters/Indigo: Physical books are seemingly more important. In the library world the circulation of digital books has plateaued while circulation of physical books has begun to increase again. There are still so many people that don't use the library because they prefer to own their own copy and/or have a clean/mint version to read.

EB Games: When even an old, set in his ways, guy like me prefers downloading games then you know EB Games is embarking upon a quick death.

I am a stickler for actually buying physical books. I have a Kobo, that I use when I'm going on long trips. But for the most part, I have books in shelves and I doubt that's going to change, especially with my non fiction books.

I tend to think that physical book stores won't go away because of the actual desire to browse books and take a chance on something new, its tougher to do that ordering on line.

[Superflyer]

In regards to Chapters. I was looking for a particular book for my wife at Christmas.I decided to look on their website so I would not waste my time and find out there were none when I got there. The website said that there were 15 in stock and hey it was on sale for $22, terrific. I get to the store and find the book but it says $30 on it. I bring up the website on my phone and talk to a person there. They told me that the price online is cheaper because people will pay a premium to get the book right now in their hands.
Needless to say I put the book back and ordered it online before I even left the store. Sure they still got the money but it I thought it odd that the same company had different pricing for online vs. a physical store.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Pleh. I meant to restrict my comment to console - which is what EB Games sells. PC is overwhelmingly digital, which dramatically affects the overall ratio.

Yeah as long as consoles continue with physical media EB is going nowhere. Downloading games on consoles sounds good but with a 500gb hard drive and less actual space for storage things fill up fast.

[keratosis]

A lot of retailers have online only deals. Makes sense, it's cheaper for them.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Its funny because I went into the Best Buy on Sunday to pick up some stuff, and the first thing that you notice is that they aren't carrying even half of what they used to carry in store, most of it is online order only.

I went to do the usual browse of DVD's and CD's, and I couldn't even find CD's and their DVD selection was tucked in the back and pretty pathetic.

What I also noticed is that for the most part the Salespeople there couldn't care less, they were all loitering around as if waiting for something to happen, but there was nobody actively going over to talk to their customers. The CRMs were also incredibly non communicative.

The problem with online shopping is that it really gets rid of the incidental sales. While I'm buying a computer I can browse through the movies or software to see if something catches my eye. That model is gone, and when your profits are in the incidental areas its going to hurt your business.

Yeah, I mentioned before they are renovating all their stores into a new concept and it's heavy on appliances and durable goods. Extremely light on any sort of media. The area alloted for videogames, movies, music, etc. is just a tiny, tiny corner in the back. They've seen the writing on the wall and phased out physical media as much as they can. I almost bought Fast Times at Ridgemont High for $7 though...that said when the price of Blu Ray movies is $7, it makes sense that its not going to be a big money maker.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Probably 90% of major video game purchases are still physical. They will be fine for some time.

Yeah, but do you need a retail outlet to purchase a physical copy? If you can order one for $10 less on Amazon - due to the lower costs associated with not having to run the retail outlet - wouldn't a significant amount of people just do that?

I think the only thing keeping EB Games going is their trade in program. So many console video games these days are the story based adventure type, that don't really replay well. The trade in program is almost like a rental system. Buy a game on release, finish it, trade it in for store credit, rinse and repeat.

[Resolute 14]

It varies. For one, Amazon.ca's deals has dried up to nothing in the last couple years. So for me, I only buy online if I am fortunate enough to catch a deal (FFXV for $50) or when trying to fill my back catalog. Otherwise, brick and mortar is far more convenient. I'll be getting my Switch and BOTW from the EB games that is mere blocks from my place right after work rather than dealing with couriers trying to deliver when I'm not home.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

The problem with online shopping is that it really gets rid of the incidental sales. While I'm buying a computer I can browse through the movies or software to see if something catches my eye. That model is gone, and when your profits are in the incidental areas its going to hurt your business.

This is true, but Amazon have a way around it somewhat, at least when it comes to me. When I put something in my basket, I'll have the message that "another $12 qualifies this for free shipping" I almost always continue browsing to spend that $12. Not a big deal for me, because I buy a lot of books anyway, so always have something I want to get. I also imagine a lot of their customers do this too.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It varies. For one, Amazon.ca's deals has dried up to nothing in the last couple years. So for me, I only buy online if I am fortunate enough to catch a deal (FFXV for $50) or when trying to fill my back catalog. Otherwise, brick and mortar is far more convenient. I'll be getting my Switch and BOTW from the EB games that is mere blocks from my place right after work rather than dealing with couriers trying to deliver when I'm not home.

Does BestBuy still do the pre-sale deals ever year? After the big conventions, they would do pre-sales of all the games with $10-20 off. Was enough of an incentive for me to buy up to 6 games. At $20 off, I could play the games, finish them, and then trade them into EB for full value in credit.

I don't really play video games anymore, but when I did, I had a great system going on.

Based on a quick browse of Bestbuy, it looks like the opposite is happening now. Pre-order games are $80, and then the price quickly drops off to as low as $30 a few months after release date.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by blankall

Yeah, but do you need a retail outlet to purchase a physical copy? If you can order one for $10 less on Amazon - due to the lower costs associated with not having to run the retail outlet - wouldn't a significant amount of people just do that?

I think the only thing keeping EB Games going is their trade in program. So many console video games these days are the story based adventure type, that don't really replay well. The trade in program is almost like a rental system. Buy a game on release, finish it, trade it in for store credit, rinse and repeat.

They've got other incentive programs now. If you sign up for Edge, you can buy a game, play it for 2 days, and then return it without any reasons if you don't like it. Higher tiers get more time.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It varies. For one, Amazon.ca's deals has dried up to nothing in the last couple years. So for me, I only buy online if I am fortunate enough to catch a deal (FFXV for $50) or when trying to fill my back catalog. Otherwise, brick and mortar is far more convenient. I'll be getting my Switch and BOTW from the EB games that is mere blocks from my place right after work rather than dealing with couriers trying to deliver when I'm not home.

The only deals on Amazon now are if you pay for Twitch Prime or Amazon Prime, then you get 20% off on new pre-ordered games.

Tested it out with Yakuza 0 and disappointed, their system ran out of stock and my order might get cancelled.

Physical stores still have more promotions and the ability to browse through their recycled stock and price matching with other physical stores to make it worthwhile. FFXV was $50 during Boxing Week at Best Buy and EB Games IIRC.

[troutman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMV#Operations

On 15 January 2013, HMV Group entered administration.[8] Deloitte were appointed to deal with the administration of the company.[9] On 16 January 2013, HMV Ireland declared receivership, and all Irish stores were closed.[10] A week later, on 22 January 2013, it was reported that Hilco UK would buy the debt of HMV, a step towards potentially taking control of the company.[11] The sale of HMV's Hong Kong and Singapore business to private equity firm Aid Partners was completed on 28 February 2013. On 5 April 2013, HMV was bought out of administration by Hilco UK for an estimated £50 million.[4]


HMV Canada is a former subsidiary which was sold to Hilco by the HMV Group in 2011. HMV Canada went into receivership in 2017.[12]

[Nage Waza]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Its funny because I went into the Best Buy on Sunday to pick up some stuff, and the first thing that you notice is that they aren't carrying even half of what they used to carry in store, most of it is online order only.

I went to do the usual browse of DVD's and CD's, and I couldn't even find CD's and their DVD selection was tucked in the back and pretty pathetic.

What I also noticed is that for the most part the Salespeople there couldn't care less, they were all loitering around as if waiting for something to happen, but there was nobody actively going over to talk to their customers. The CRMs were also incredibly non communicative.

The problem with online shopping is that it really gets rid of the incidental sales. While I'm buying a computer I can browse through the movies or software to see if something catches my eye. That model is gone, and when your profits are in the incidental areas its going to hurt your business.

I was in Best Buy last weekend to purchase a rather high end TV. They didn't have the model I wanted in stock, and rather then let me have the only model above it for the same price (or something fair), they let me walk.

I went to Visions (where they sell for commission), and I got the tv I wanted for $500 less. WTH - Best Buy, if you are reading this, if you let a customer walk out empty handed, you are doing something wrong. This is the path to a fast retail death. How can Visions sell the same product, with commission for $500 less?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

I was in Best Buy last weekend to purchase a rather high end TV. They didn't have the model I wanted in stock, and rather then let me have the only model above it for the same price (or something fair), they let me walk.

I went to Visions (where they sell for commission), and I got the tv I wanted for $500 less. WTH - Best Buy, if you are reading this, if you let a customer walk out empty handed, you are doing something wrong. This is the path to a fast retail death. How can Visions sell the same product, with commission for $500 less?

They probably bought it from one of those guys driving around in a white van, "getting rid of overstock", then flipped it to you for an extra hundo.

At least, that's what it feels like to shop at Visions.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

The only deals on Amazon now are if you pay for Twitch Prime or Amazon Prime, then you get 20% off on new pre-ordered games.

Tested it out with Yakuza 0 and disappointed, their system ran out of stock and my order might get cancelled.

Physical stores still have more promotions and the ability to browse through their recycled stock and price matching with other physical stores to make it worthwhile. FFXV was $50 during Boxing Week at Best Buy and EB Games IIRC.

Amazon.ca had Gears of War 4 at 29.99 right after Xmas while BestBuy's sale price was 49.99, so that goes several ways.

And a big Chinese New Year to OutOfTheCube

[Resolute 14]

I just like the fact that Nage Waza felt entitled to the next model up for cheaper because what he wanted was out of stock.