The HMV Monster

In recent years, I've noticed that a vast amount of independent shops in my local town are slowly disappearing. Hindered by the recession, and the increasing popularity of internet spending, shopkeepers are sorrowfully announcing their final closing-down sale. This creates what is possibly their most profitable period of time, until eventually there is no more to sell, and a 'To Let' sign inevitably appears. The life of the shop is now a mere distant memory.`
International music monsters such Virgin Megastore and HMV fight for success, and feel no remorse in destroying anything that stands in their way. Companies like these eat independent music shops for breakfast. They simply can't compete. In the UK, it's virtually impossible to visit a town centre and not find an HMV. They're as easy to locate as a Tesco or a chav outside a chippie in this country, but they lack even the smallest amount of character. They are soulless carbon copies of each other, designed to be as profitable as possible, but not giving any real considersation as to what it is they are selling. They succeed in selling Top 40 music, and continuously stock the most popular of artists, but catastrophically fail to sell music that is less known - something that smaller record shops are brilliant at. They've set out to be the best, but aren't anywhere near an adequate replacement for that which they've destroyed.
A while ago, I went to my local HMV to find a Frank Turner CD. Hardly an impossible mission. They had entirely sold out, so I went to a different store a few days later, only to find the same thing. It took several weeks and four different branches until I found what I was looking for. Once I did, I was reluctant to actually make a purchase - overpriced is an understatement. If this is their attitude towards a well known artist, imagine what it's like for those still trying to gain popularity. I'm not going to even get started on the price of music they have import.
More recently, I went to the same shop, and asked in they had any CD's by The Vandals. Admittedly, they are less well known, but certainly not unheard of. They looked at me as though I'd just asked for The Beatles first ever recording, covered in vintage alien goo, encrusted with diamonds and personally handed to me by the Queen herself. Or more likely, they were completely flummoxed by a request for a band they've never heard of.
It strikes me as sad that smaller bands are having to rely almost entirely on the internet for record sales. There's something wonderfully simple about buying music from shops - it's reassuring to be able to see what it is you're purchasing.
I know it's not just music shops that are affected by commercialised destroyers, but I really think it's time smaller music stores are supported instead of innihilated, smaller bands are given a better platform from which to sell music, and some individuality and variety is injected into what people are able to listen to.