HMV has struggled to cope with fierce competition from online retailers and the supermarkets and a disappointing Christmas sales season has accentuated the problems facing a business that has occupied a place in hundreds of towns across the UK for many years. They are desperately trying to cut costs and have introduced a store-closing programme but will this be enough? My own experience in Harrogate this holiday season was one of continued disappointment. Three times I went into the store for separate items and three times I left empty-handed .... but my shopping companions simply shrugged their shoulders and suggested we order direct off Amazon via our mobile phones on the way home. HMV is a tired retail concept (much the same can be said of the staid Waterstones bookselling arm) and has the distinct whiff of Woolworths about it. 2011 might be the end.