HMV is serious about upping its game when it comes to games. In the past nine months it has launched new Gaming Zones and LAN sections in its flagship stores. Now it's taking another big step and introducing a pre-owned game service.

It's a pretty daring move because publishers tend to frown on the idea of retailers peddling soiled second hand copies of their titles instead of the shiny new plastic-wrapped version. Presumably publishers don't get any money from second had sales either. Furthermore, the competing GAME and Gamestation group has been operating a trade-in service for a very long time.

Following a 'radical' review, DSGi retail group which operates Curry, Currys.digital and PC World stores here in the UK, is set to close 77 of its high street Currys.Digital (formerly known as Dixons) stores. The 100 remaining shops will be trialling new formats later in the year and rethinking the product lines they have in stock.

The results of chief executive John Browett's review have been a hot topic, especially in wake of revelations that US retailer Best Buy is preparing a huge assault on the UK following a deal with The Carphone Warehouse.

Frankly, all this comes as little surprise and I'm not even remotely upset at the prospect of a big US corporation thundering in to grab the reigns of the UK's high street electrical retailing. Good on them.