HMV to unite e-store and download facility

by Philip Buxton, Revolution UK 31-Dec-06

HMV plans to combine its newly revamped digital-download service with its core web store in early 2007 by creating a new site that sells music and entertainment in any format.

E-commerce director Gideon Lask envisions one site where users can buy
CDs, DVDs and games alongside digital products like MP3 music files,
ringtones and digital entertainment content. He plans to launch it in

the first quarter of 2007.

A new version of its existing download service, HMV Digital, was
launched only last month to offer a browser-based MP3 store that removed
the need to download special software.

But, said Lask: "Very high on my agenda is bringing (HMV Digital and
HMV.co.uk) together. I'm a great believer in offering one face of HMV to
the customer across multiple channels and that includes having our
digital offer all in one place. We're in a good position - our IT team
is strong, resourced, experienced and the market is right for it to have
an integrated proposition."

Lask is likely to rearrange his team to offer the new service. HMV head
of digital Mark Bennett left recently for a new venture in the energy
sector.

- Cover story, p20.