HMV has announced it will buy seven Fopp stores, saving some 70 jobs, following the news that Fopp went into administration last month.
The music retailer plans to re-open branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Covent Garden, Manchester, Nottingham and Cambridge in the next few weeks, because these stores were “profitable”.
An HMV spokesman said the Fopp stores will be kept as separate entities to HMV, as Fopp was a well-regarded brand.
“There was a strong business case to buy seven of the Fopp stores – they were profitable before Fopp went into administration. We want to keep them as independently run as possible. We are extremely sensitive to the fact they are a different company, with separate operations,” he said.
HMV denied there was any low morale among staff who were told one month they had been made redundant, only to be told the next that their jobs had been reinstated.
He said: “There is no low staff morale. Staff are excited about the idea of working in Fopp stores again. Their terms and conditions will remain the same as before.
“Throughout the process we have got back in touch with the original staff, informed them what the plans are and answered any concerns they might have. HR has played a vital role in this.”
Some 630 jobs lost in the closure of the remaining Fopp stores across England will not be saved, as HMV has no plans at present to buy more stores.
