HMV has just 12 days to avoid going bust

The 91-year-old company, which has 15 stores in Yorkshire and the Humber, said weak market conditions had created “material uncertainties” for the business, exacerbated by a worse than expected start to the Christmas trading period, in which the firm makes 60 per cent of its sales for the whole year.

This would result in a probable breach at the end of January of covenants with its banks on its financial performance, it said on Thursday, also warning it was unlikely to meet analyst expectations for its full-year results, without giving further guidance.

It had been expected to post an annual pre-tax profit of between £7m and £10m.

HMV, famous for its Nipper the dog trademark, has struggled in declining music, DVD and games markets and has been shifting its focus towards promotions and technology products like tablet PCs and headphones.

It said it was in “constructive discussions” with its eight lending banks, including keeping them informed of current trading, which it and other retailers hope will be boosted by a late surge in shopping before Christmas day. It would not say what penalties it would face if it did breach its agreements.

“Christmas gets later every year, people are also in search of the promotional offer and being very careful about where they spend their money,” Chief executive Trevor Moore said.

“There are still 12 critically important trading days until Christmas and being on the high street (town centre), if things do come late, is absolutely to our advantage because that’s where the footfall will be.”