HMV owner Hilco is planning to cut 400 jobs at the retailer, specifically targeting security guards, cashiers and supervisors for redundancy

Hilco cutting 400 HMV jobs
The rising popularity of internet shopping is sending several high street retailers into administration. (Credit: Reuters)

An internal memo leaked by The Times reveals that Hilco, which earlier this month purchased HMV from administrators Deloitte, is focusing on sacking security guards, cashiers and supervisors in a new round of job cuts.

Security guards in particular will be targeted for redundancy, with the memo revealing that only HMV stores dubbed "high risk" will continue to employ security staff. Cashiers at all but 30 of the top performing HMV outlets will also face possible redundancy as Hilco looks to save £7.8m on the struggling chain's annual payroll.

The memo also explained that HMV will hire more part-time staff and that as cashiers are laid off, managerial-level employees will be expected to work behind the tills.

Hilco purchased HMV in April for £50m, saving 140 stores and 2,500 jobs. Before dwindling music and DVD sales sent HMV into administration in January, the retailer employed more than 4,500 people across 230 outlets.

HMV follows a trend of high street entertainment retailers falling into administration. In April, 2012 GAME Group, which oversees retailers GAME and Gamestation, had to be rescued from bankruptcy by the OpCapita Group, safeguarding around 3,200 jobs.

More recently, film and computer game rental chain Blockbuster has been purchased by restructuring specialist Gordon Brothers Europe in a deal that will save 2,000 jobs and 264 of Blockbuster's 528 UK stores.

Blockbuster has also seen interest from supermarket chain Morrisson's, which is converting 49 Blockbuster stores into outlets for 'M', it's brand of smaller, local supermarkets.

The consultation period during which Hilco will finalise job losses at HMV is expected to last until May.