HMV Picks Cable & Wireless

MAIDENHEAD, U.K. -- 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.”

Cable and Wireless plc (NYSE: CWP)