HMV Group delivers superfast shopping experience
- Fast broadband helps create unique online and instore customer experience
- Wide Area Network to connect 600 UK retail sites
- Delivery of next generation ADSL2+ connectivity
23 March 2010: HMV Group has turned to Cable&Wireless Worldwide to replace its legacy network in its chain of HMV and Waterstone’s stores in a three year, multi-million pound contract to ensure it is fighting fit and able to give its customers the best shopping experience, all year round.
The roll out of the new network – to both HMV and Waterstone’s has already commenced and, once completed, will connect 600 retail outlets across the UK and Ireland together with key distribution sites, including a warehouse operation in Guernsey.
HMV Group is dedicated to creating the best possible end-to-end customer experience for every instore and online shopper. Cable&Wireless Worldwide is providing truly next-generation broadband connectivity across HMV Group’s e-commerce platform. This ensures online sales are processed rapidly and accurately to deliver the optimum customer experience, irrespective of how busy the sites may be. Online shopping is a crucial element of consumer appeal, with sales through the hmv.com and Waterstones.com websites generating growing revenue for the two businesses, particularly during peak trading times such as Christmas.
HMV is also heavily engaged in developing its next-generation instore environment, providing tech and gaming zones, which all need high bandwidth. Cable&Wireless Worldwide’s business grade ADSL2+ provides assured rates guaranteeing 1Mbps speeds, making it an absolute must for businesses that rely on broadband.
Gary Arthurs, Chief Information Officer, HMV Group said: “In today’s competitive marketplace we needed a trusted partner to deliver a network that would help improve our customer experience. With Cable&Wireless Worldwide, our next generation shopping experience is now second to none.”
Philip Grannum, Managing Director, Enterprise, Cable&Wireless Worldwide, added: “The network and business grade broadband connectivity we’re providing HMV Group is at the very heart of its new and unique shopping experience. It means HMV and Waterstone’s customers will spend less time queuing to pay as transactions are processed at super-fast internet speeds. Being able to provide an exceptional customer experience is critical for retail business operations and we’re very pleased to be supporting HMV Group in this way.”
Contacts:
CABLE&WIRELESS
Natalie Easson
PR Manager
+44 (0)7717 427 418
C&W Press Office
+44 (0)1344 818 888
About Cable&Wireless
Cable and Wireless plc is one of the world's leading international communications companies. It operates through two standalone business units - Cable&Wireless Worldwide and Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC).
The Worldwide business (formerly Europe, Asia & US) specialises in offering high quality communications services such as IP, data, voice and hosting to large enterprise, reseller and carrier customers. It operates globally, with core markets in UK, Asia and EMEA, and provides connectivity in 153 countries.
CWC is an owner and operator of leading regional telecoms businesses. Headquartered in London, it operates businesses through four regional operations the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco & Islands delivering world-class service and efficiency. CWC is a full-service telecommunications provider offering mobile, broadband, and domestic and international fixed line services, as well as enterprise and managed service solutions.
In November 2009, the Cable and Wireless plc Board announced its intention to separate the Cable&Wireless Communications Group and the Cable&Wireless Worldwide Group, reflecting its belief that the businesses had reached a position where they would deliver increased value to shareholders as separately listed companies. Cable&Wireless Worldwide Group will demerge from Cable and Wireless plc at the end of March 2010. For more information about Cable&Wireless, go to http://www.cw.com
About HMV
Entertainment retailer HMV is the UK & Ireland’s leading music, film and games specialist - offering the widest selection of titles and products across all genres, formats and channels through over 280 shops and online and as downloadable mp3 content via hmv.com.
HMV also caters to a growing demand for personal and home technology products, such as iPods and other portable digital devices, and popular culture products ranging from books and licensed products to artist merchandising, T-shirts and other ‘cool stuff’.
HMV has in recent years diversified its product offer, whilst also implementing a number of key initiatives as part of an ongoing strategic plan. These include a ‘next generation’ store concept, which offers an engaging, design-led shopping environment; the review of the HMV brand and introduction of the ‘get closer’ identity - a distillation of the company’s vision that ‘no-one gets you closer to the music, films and games you love’; and significant investment in hmv’s online and mp3 downloads offer via hmv.com.
In December 2008 HMV acquired gamerbase.com - a pay-to-play online gaming in-store concept, and followed this in January 2009 with a significant entry into ‘live’ music by partnering with MAMA Group through a joint venture to acquire eleven concert venues, including the renamed hmv Hammersmith Apollo and hmv forum in London. In May 2009 hmv signed a deal with Orange to open up to 100 of the mobile operator’s concession outlets in its stores, and in September 2009 hmv announced that it had acquired a 50% stake in the UK digital services provider, 7digital. Most recently, in October 2009, hmv joined forces with independent film distributor Curzon Artificial Eye to bring a new cinema experience to the high street - hmvcurzon is being trialled above its Wimbledon store in London, with a planned national roll-out to follow if it proves successful.
HMV is part of HMV Group plc, which also operates the Fopp music and entertainment chain in the UK, Waterstone’s bookstores in the UK and Ireland and HMV stores in Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore.
