Fopp no more :(

[Ean]

My bets are on Virgin Closing.....maybe.

Dunno about that, HMV posted over 50% reduction in profits last week.

[Ady]

My bets are on Virgin Closing.....maybe.

Dunno about that, HMV posted over 50% reduction in profits last week.

I always thought Virgin were way more expensive, that's what i based my opinion on. Maybe thats a good thing for 'em then!!

[Ean]

I always thought Virgin were way more expensive, that's what i based my opinion on. Maybe thats a good thing for 'em then!!

I think Virgin always just edged it for higher prices - especially now HMV have their perpetual sale prices (yay for cd collection, nay for bank account) - but they got into selling phones and whatever a lot sooner than HMV so they've got a bigger spread of customers.

Can't say I prefer one over the other (my mate who used to work for HMV has his own opinion on the matter ), they've both been good for a mooch on more than severeal occasions. It'll be a shame if either of 'em go, and hopefully someone'll rescue Fopp too

[fluffygrue]

Mmm, Fopp's website has an interesting bit of info:

"Our store chain is profitable, well regarded and loved by our loyal customers and staff. However we have failed to gain the necessary support from major stakeholders, suppliers and their credit insurers to generate sufficient working capital to run our expanding business.

We would like to thank staff and customers for their support over the past 25 years."

[Ady]

Mmm, Fopp's website has an interesting bit of info:

"Our store chain is profitable, well regarded and loved by our loyal customers and staff. However we have failed to gain the necessary support from major stakeholders, suppliers and their credit insurers to generate sufficient working capital to run our expanding business.

We would like to thank staff and customers for their support over the past 25 years."

25 Years?? Wow!

[Ean]

Mmm, Fopp's website has an interesting bit of info:

"Our store chain is profitable, well regarded and loved by our loyal customers and staff. However we have failed to gain the necessary support from major stakeholders, suppliers and their credit insurers to generate sufficient working capital to run our expanding business.

We would like to thank staff and customers for their support over the past 25 years."

25 Years?? Wow!

Yep, and it was all going pretty swimmingly 'til they bought Music Zone and got too big too quickly. Just heard tonight that they've got rid of everybody except the store managers, on the off chance that someone steps in to save 'em - poor bastards have worked for the last month for no money when they could have been looking for other jobs... .

Bet the guy who managed the Kidderminster store is doing a little happy dance about it since he gave up the London store, upped sticks and moved halfway across the country to open up this one...

[Alteredcarbon]

Saw two closed Fopps today. Was tempted to leave flowers

Actually I think it it a really bad time for CD stores. One of the Avalanches has closed in Edinburgh as well

[geordierussell]

My local independent book shop closed down.
It has been voted best UK indie book shop a few times in the last 3 years or so as well.

There service was second to none, and the staff were excellent.

Sad days for all of us.

The corporate highstreet is here to stay.

[Zo]

*Checks intro-duck-tions. Discovers he's twice as old as Steffahoob. Sobs and checks for grey hairs *

hahaha!!! did you find any?

[lemon & ginger]

Every other shop on Oxford Street is a bloody phone shop. That makes me sad/sick. Berwick street, the former home of record shops in London, only has one and one on the brink of closing.

To be fair though, I buy a lot of stuff on t'internet - it's so damn cheap.

And my sympathies go to the workers at fopp who didn't get paid

[Ean]

*Checks intro-duck-tions. Discovers he's twice as old as Steffahoob. Sobs and checks for grey hairs *

hahaha!!! did you find any?

That, Missy, is between me and the guy on the Just For Men box...

[Sarc]

*Checks intro-duck-tions. Discovers he's twice as old as Steffahoob. Sobs and checks for grey hairs *

hahaha!!! did you find any?

That, Missy, is between me and the guy on the Just For Men box...

Thats either a yes or Eans coming out of the closet.

[Zo]

I didn't mean grey hairs actually.... just meant hairs in general....

*ducks*

[dyanetski]

Sad news indeed, i reckon it's been a domino effect almost;

Woolworths buy MVC and run it into the ground....

Then MVC goes solo for a bit (best time working there)

MVC get bought out (mostly) by Music Zone

Music Zone get into trouble and close

Fopp take on Music Zone stores

Fopp closes...

I too was there for much of it. I left after the Musiczone buy out, still have friends who were working there, and have not been paid for the month. Totally sucks. I am surprised no keyholders went in and took goods to the value before handing their keys in. I know I would have.

[SteveP]

I didn't know fopp had bought out Music Zone.

I was in Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, and the Music Zone in Eldon Square was shut, no mention of fopp or anything, just that the place had closed, I was a bit gutted cos I was going to have a look to see what they had, I picked up a copy of The Best Of, by errr, a band that we all like just a little for a mate for £4, Bonus!!!

Sad to say this, but as everyone seems to be saying, physical goods, ie an actual cd in an actual case, with an actual booklet with actual words written by the band on seems to be dying, because of the ready availability of the digital format from the net.
I for one won't be joining this revolution, I prefer to have the cd and booklet in my possession and will contine to buy cd's, at least I know the artists will get a return, albeit a small one.

A sad time indeed