HMV

[Fish Finger]

Even now, in my local HMV, they've cut down about a third of the electronics / gadget section, and, rather refreshingly, have replaced the whole area with tonnes of books. Even good ones.

One of the ones near me has said they're having a total refit/new look for the store in the next couple of months. I guess they'll all need one if they're getting rid of the ridiculous gadget and toy sections. Books are fine, so long as they aren't just the sort of stuff that even The Works can't shift.

[Fish Finger]

Ooh I must get that, even though I've ordered the Steelbook. Haha

It comes in a big fat case like the Harry Potter 3D ones. God knows why!

[Tribal Spaceman]

They've already announced the extended cut of The Hobbit will be on Blu-ray by the time the second film comes out, so I don't think I'll buy any of it until all three are out in extended form!

It comes in a big fat case like the Harry Potter 3D ones. God knows why!

I may just stick with the Amazon Steelbook for the regular edition of the film and wait for an extended 3D release at the end of the year, or a complete set in several years time.
I don't mind the chunky cases, as long as they come with a slipcover. I wish all Blu-Rays came with them, they cover up the tacky blue boxes so well.

Saying that, Amazon haven't even dispatched my order yet, which is worrying considering it's due out on Monday.

[Fish Finger]

I may just stick with the Amazon Steelbook for the regular edition of the film and wait for an extended 3D release at the end of the year, or a complete set in several years time.
I don't mind the chunky cases, as long as they come with a slipcover. I wish all Blu-Rays came with them, they cover up the tacky blue boxes so well.

Saying that, Amazon haven't even dispatched my order yet, which is worrying considering it's due out on Monday.

It comes with a lenticular slipcover. I know what you mean about them, I feel a bit cheated without one. Amazon are crap at release day delivery, my last 3 orders all came a day late, despite paying the postage.

[Seanie]

I'm sure they'll have cut some sort of deal with the distributors to bring prices down, there's no way they would have bailed them out with no plan to compete with amazon etc.

If they've not got a plan for cutting prices and increasing peoples instore spends then they're just delaying the inevitable.

[Eric Generic]

I expect all the books are a leftover from the previous regime and they've got to try and shift as many of them as possible, but please in future...if I want a book, I'll go to Waterstones. When I go to HMV, I expect to see something in the ZZ Top, Dusty Springfield, <insert any vintage catalogue act> and not an empty space or no section at all for them.

[Tribal Spaceman]

Oh I hardly ever go to Waterstone's, they actually have the nerve to charge cover price for their books. At least in HMV they'll be a bit cheaper.

[Dr Pop]

Yesterday, I paid a visit to a 'physical' HMV for the first time in a few years (Trafford Centre). I have to say I was surprised at how little floor space was dedicated to music compared to my last visit. DVDs and books seemed to have more space than music, and a large corner was given over to the electronic goods section. I do hope Hilco are good to their word and make music the focus of the revamped chain. Although to be honest, unless they price match the online traders, I will still be buying my CDs off of the internet.

[Eric Generic]

30% off....that's got me the Scritti and Kim Wilde CDs I've had on my to-get list for the past year. And I heard a few songs from the new OMD album (out tomorrow) as well. Sounds amazing.

[Tribal Spaceman]

The 5 for £30 Blu-Ray offer now includes all the reissued classic WB titles in their shiny slipcovers. I got Blade Runner: The Final Cut, Singin' in the Rain, A Clockwork Orange, The Neverending Story and The Wizard of Oz. I'd wanted some of these for a while, but the basic packaging put me off, so it's nice to finally have them in my collection.

Not a fan of the tacky Oz artwork but I still have this version on DVD so a fairly basic Blu-Ray is fine I guess.

Edit: I believe the US releases are region-free. I'm tempted to return Oz and get something else, and order one of those...

[Eric Generic]

HMV does seem the place for cheap Blu-Ray at the moment. Not that I have a player, or especially want one.

CD-wise, most of the stores I can get to are in a state of flux...neither completely useless but not yet back to stocking much of interest for me. The 2 for 10s are yet to return, the blue cross stock is almost gone (or else the stickers have been removed by now), but the new releases aren't much to speak of and the prices are often too high.

[Fish Finger]

The 5 for £30 Blu-Ray offer now includes all the reissued classic WB titles in their shiny slipcovers. I got Blade Runner: The Final Cut, Singin' in the Rain, A Clockwork Orange, The Neverending Story and The Wizard of Oz. I'd wanted some of these for a while, but the basic packaging put me off, so it's nice to finally have them in my collection.

I got some of these too: The Color Purple, The Shining, True Romance, Gremlins and Beetlejuice. Tempted to get a few others, but they had quite scuffed-up slipcovers. They're £12 - £13 each on Amazon so it's a great offer.

Popped in CeX and sure enough they had a load of them in there, marked as second hand 3 days after they came out for £10 each. You can even see where the price stickers were hastily removed. They must be thrilled that HMV didn't close.

[Tribal Spaceman]

The Color Purple, The Shining, True Romance, Gremlins and Beetlejuice

Oh, nice. Haven't seen those. I'll have to try another store.