HMV Group today branded Waterstone's Christmas performance "unsatisfactory" as it announced the departure of the book chain's boss.

A more detailed picture of trading conditions in the UK over the Christmas period will emerge this week when high profile retailers including Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s post trading updates.

Computer games retailer Game today said the decline in its sales had slowed following a number of blockbuster software releases.

Retail group Game today said half-year profits will be as much as 64% lower after figures last year were boosted by blockbuster releases.

Music and games group HMV today said the demise of rivals and benefits from its turnaround plan had boosted profits in a “difficult” retail climate.

Victoria Square in Belfast suffered another blow today when it was announced that two restaurants were closing immediately.

Falling sales of celebrity biographies and travel books have hit high street bookshop Waterstone’s, the firm’s owner said today.

MUSIC store HMV is diversifying its business by opening cinemas and cafe-bars above its stores.

A RENT of €1 million a year is being sought for the former Zavvi entertainment store on Cork city’s Grand Parade.

More than 400 workers in England at high-street music retailer Zavvi are to lose their jobs after administrators today announced the closure of 18 stores.

Administrators of music and games retailer Zavvi announced plans to close another 17 stores today, with the loss of 242 jobs.

Administrators for music, DVD and games retailer Zavvi said today another 15 of the chain’s stores were to close, leaving 295 staff out of work.

A further banking sell off today dragged the London market to its seventh consecutive day in the red.

Administrators for music, DVD and games retailer Zavvi said more than 200 jobs were secured after a deal with HMV – but the news came after hundreds of the firm’s employees lost their jobs in further store closures.

ZAVVI, the former Virgin Megastore, has agreed to sell five of its 11 stores in the Republic to rival music group HMV.

Administrators for music, DVD and games retailer Zavvi said more than 200 jobs were secured tonight after a deal with HMV – but the news came after hundreds of the firm’s employees lost their jobs in further store closures.

The British music retailer Zavvi has announced plans to close a further 18 outlets, including several located in the North.

The Bank of England made history today by slashing interest rates to an all-time low of 1.5%.

Administrators for music, DVD and games retailer Zavvi said today it was closing 22 UK stores with the loss of 178 jobs.

The Bank of England was set to make history today by slashing interest rates to an all-time low to battle a deepening recession.

Around 60 jobs could be saved after administrators said some Adams Childrenswear stores would stay open in the North, it was revealed today.

Up to 1,400 retailers are expected to fail this year in the UK as the battered sector suffered its worst December for 30 years, it was warned today.

Woolworths will continue its slow demise today with more than 150 branches closing, as the crisis gripping the British high street spreads.

Childrenswear retailer Adams today confirmed it was poised to go into administration after a creditor began proceedings against it.

The British high street was dealt another blow today when fashion retailer USC went into administration, putting 300 jobs at risk.

SHOP closures at iconic high street retailer, Woolworths began at the weekend, with more than 200 outlets across Britain and Northern Ireland being affected.

British childrenswear chain Adams looks set to become the latest victim of the retail squeeze after it applied to appoint administrators, it was confirmed today.

A quarter of Woolworths stores will close today as the end looms for the failed British retailer.

A quarter of Woolworths stores will close tomorrow as the end looms nearer for the failed British retailer.

More than 3,400 workers at entertainment retailer Zavvi were suffering a miserable Christmas today after the firm collapsed into administration.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the last session before Christmas on a losing note today amid more bleak news for the retail sector.

The FTSE 100 Index was on the back foot today amid more bleak news for the retail sector in the run-up to Christmas.

More than 3,000 jobs at high street music retailer Zavvi were at risk today after the company was placed into administration.

Creditors of Zavvi have brought in an emergency restructuring team from Ernst & Young to help the high street music retailer, it was reported today.

The surviving part of the collapsed Woolworths empire may be placed in administration by the end of the week in a move that could hit the chain’s pension fund, it was reported today.

British high street retailer Zavvi said today it had stopped taking DVD, music and games orders after the collapse of Woolworths left it unable to guarantee delivery.

A 70% rise in online sales helped the former Virgin Megastore chain post double-digit Christmas sales growth in its new guise, bosses said today.

Richard Branson parted company today with the business that helped launch his empire.