Retail brand HMV will launch its fully transactional e-commerce website in the Republic of Ireland at 3pm on 6 November. A similar site for Northern Ireland is also in the works.
As well as saving the HMV brand, consortium Hilco also saved Ireland’s Xtra-vision retail brand as the recession continued to bite into the fortunes of the retail sector along with a shift by consumers online.
Hmv.ie will be launched as a fully transactional website, with consumers able to purchase the same range available in all HMV stores. Products will be added on a daily basis, ensuring that the range featured on the site reflects the in-store offerings. Hmv.ie will also be fully transactional on smartphones.
The launch of the new HMV website for Northern Ireland, hmvireland.co.uk, will follow shortly.
In recent weeks, HMV launched a digital music store and free iOS and Android app that lets users browse, listen to, and download tracks through a blend of image search and sound search technology.
However, a week later Apple removed the app from the App Store for allegedly violating its guidelines.
Xtra-vision was saved from receivership in June after its receivers Ernst & Young completed the sale of the business and its assets to a number of firms backed by Hilco Capital Ireland for an undisclosed sum.
In August, Hilco revealed plans to put the HMV brand on 26 Xtra-vision stores across Ireland.
As part of its plan, Hilco reopened four standalone HMV stores, including those on Henry Street and in Liffey Valley shopping centre in Dublin, as well as the Crescent in Limerick
Free home delivery
Hmv.ie will offer a choice of delivery options; either to your door or to collect from any HMV or Xtravision store; all of which are open late seven days a week.
The site will also offer guaranteed next-day delivery when using Express checkout, based on orders placed before 3pm that day.
Consumers spending €50 or more in one transaction will be able to avail of free home delivery.
In addition, consumers will be able to pre-order DVDs and games, ensuring release-day delivery once the express shipping option is selected.
“The launch of hmv.ie, and the imminent arrival of hmvireland.co.ukmarks an important development for HMV in Ireland, as we are now able to offer consumers the choice of visiting one of our ‘bricks-and-mortar’ stores, or purchasing directly online,” said Larry Howard, chief executive of Hilco Capital Ireland.
“It was particularly important for us to have hmv.ie go live in the run up to Christmas. This period is traditionally one of the busiest times of year for online retailing, and now hmv.ie customers will be able to purchase from our unrivalled range of music, films and games at their convenience.”
