Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[HMV facing 66 store closures, 930 layoffs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/hmv-facing-66-store-closures-930-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/hmv-facing-66-store-closures-930-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/hmv-facing-66-store-closures-930-layoffs/#comments HMV facing 66 store closures, 930 layoffsHMV, a multimedia chain and one of the UK's top high street game retailers, is closing 66 of its 220 stores, with 930 employees losing their jobs as a result. Deloitte, the company's administrators, said the closures should occur within the next one to two months.

"This step has been taken in order to enhance the prospects of securing the business' future as a going concern," said Joint Administrator Nick Edwards. "We continue to receive strong support from staff and are extremely grateful to them for their commitment during an understandably difficult period. All other key stakeholders remain very supportive and I continue to be hopeful of securing a future for the restructured business."

HMV also posted a statement on its Facebook page this morning, echoing Deloitte by saying the closures give the retailer the best chance possible of a viable future on the high street:
"As you may be aware, a number of our stores in the UK have been earmarked for closure. This decision has not been taken lightly and, though very sad and regrettable, it is necessary to give HMV the best possible chance of emerging from administration and having a future on the high street. We'd like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of affected colleagues, who continue to work with great passion and dedication, and this decision in no way reflects on their considerable efforts on behalf of HMV. We also sincerely thank our customers in these locations for their valued support over many years, who we hope will continue to shop at HMV."
HMV entered administration in January after failing to secure $483 million for debt financing. Hilco, a British restructuring company, subsequently took on the debt and is expected to take over the company. HMV's struggles have headlined a tough 2013 so far for British games retail, with Play.com closing its retail operations and Blockbuster UK also entering administration.

Continue reading HMV facing 66 store closures, 930 layoffs

JoystiqHMV facing 66 store closures, 930 layoffs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closuresdeloittegreat-britainhilcohmvlayoffsukThu, 07 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blockbuster closures in UK hit 160 stores]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/20/blockbuster-closures-in-uk-hit-160-stores/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/20/blockbuster-closures-in-uk-hit-160-stores/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/20/blockbuster-closures-in-uk-hit-160-stores/#comments Deloitte, the group handling the administration of Blockbuster UK, will close 160 of the retailer's 500 stores. Blockbuster UK went into administration Wednesday, appointing Deloitte to the task of handling the bankruptcy proceedings and finding a buyer for the company.

Lee Manning, an administrator with the group, told GamesIndustry International, "Having reviewed the portfolio with management, the store closure plan is an inevitable consequence of having to restructure the Company to a profitable core which is capable of being sold." Deloitte noted that more store closings may hit in the coming weeks.

JoystiqBlockbuster closures in UK hit 160 stores originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>administrationBlockbusterBlockbuster-UKclosingDeloittestore-closingsSun, 20 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report finds British families game together, Wii very popular]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/report-finds-british-families-game-together-wii-very-popular/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/report-finds-british-families-game-together-wii-very-popular/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/report-finds-british-families-game-together-wii-very-popular/#commentsFiled under:


A recent report conducted in Britain by research firm Deloitte says that the average Brit spends about 6.6 hours a week playing video games. As part of that report, Deloitte also found that a quarter of the individuals who were polled owned a Wii, with another quarter stating that they intend to own one in 2009. It's no surprise, if you've been keeping up with sales figures.

Another aspect of the report that is quite interesting is the perception of gaming overall. Apparently, video games are considered part of "family time" over there for those between the ages of 26 and 42. It warms our heart to think of all the families getting along splendidly, enjoying gaming together.

How many of you enjoy gaming with your family? What games do you all play together? Is gaming your main hobby?

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqReport finds British families game together, Wii very popular originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britaindeloittefamiliesfamilyreportukThu, 08 Jan 2009 18:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Half of Brits own or intend to buy Wii in 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/report-half-of-brits-have-or-intend-to-buy-wii-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/report-half-of-brits-have-or-intend-to-buy-wii-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/report-half-of-brits-have-or-intend-to-buy-wii-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: , ,


A new report, entitled "Media Democracy," by research firm Deloitte claims that the average media-consuming Brit spends 6.6 hours per week playing video games. The most staggering finding in the report is that a quarter of respondents owned a Wii, while another quarter said they intended to buy one by the end of this year. That would mean the Brits owning a Wii would outnumber those who assisted in the great Adipose breeding program.

The research report also found that gaming is now considered "family time" for those between the ages of 26 and 42, with interest in the activity declining after 40. Speaking of which -- we can't confirm whether The Doctor has picked up a Wii, but we do know Her Majesty has done some Wii Sports bowling.

JoystiqReport: Half of Brits own or intend to buy Wii in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britaindeloittemedia-democracyukwiiWed, 07 Jan 2009 18:26:00 EST