Noted online bookshop and retailer Amazon.com is buying the excellent online books-related social network and information portal Goodreads. Well, that's a deal that makes a lot of sense. Read More >>

Right now, Amazon is the undisputed king of the book and media market in the UK -- no one retailer sells more and it's already managed to kill HMV and others -- but Tesco's hoping to change that. It's apparently going to launch dedicated book and music retail sites to partner it's movie service, Blinkbox. This means war. Read More >>

I'm not sure if this is good news or bad news for the poor staff of the now defunct Jessops, but Peter Jones, he of Dragons' Den fame, has bought the brand in conjunction with a couple of other investors. According to the Telegraph, it's likely Jessops will become an internet-only retailer, ditching stores and therefore staff. Read More >>

Staggering news has emerged from the debris of the HMV collapse, with sources claiming that the music chain's financial saviour could also be considering a bid for part of dead camera chain Jessops -- and might install Jessops booths inside HMV branches for the ultimate in retro retail experiences. Read More >>

Apple pricing is unlike almost every other brand in consumer tech: consistent across each and every retailer, and rarely discounted. How do Cook and Co manage to pull that off? Read More >>

HMV's latest sale is apparently critical to its survival, with sources claiming its new Blue Cross Sale is designed as a last-gasp attempt to raise money to meet its banking commitments. Read More >>

It's the end of the line for retail park electronics chain Comet, which blinks out of existence today, its last day of trading. The administrators are "pulling a Woolworths" too, with shop fittings, shelving and more all up for grabs. Read More >>

If you've ever had the sneaking suspicion smooth-faced mannequins were secretly watching you while you shop, you're probably just paranoid. But you might also be right. According to reports by Bloomberg, some high-end retailers are already rolling out models that watch you shop with secret cameras. Read More >>

The previously trailed fire sale of Comet's lovely ranges of fridges, TVs and iPod docks has begun, with the chain now selling off its stock on the cheap today. And look, they have invoked the black and yellow colour scheme. This is going to be huge. Read More >>

The administrator acting on behalf of the doomed retail chain has lifted its ban on buying stuff with any Comet gift cards you might have, which should help people load up with cheap microwaves when that super sale eventually gets under way. It won't yet take pre-paid cards issued on behalf of other corporations, though, such as payment vouchers used to replace stuff as part of an insurance claim. [Deloitte] Read More >>

The UK economy is about to get a little boost, as the administrators of retail chain Comet prepare to launch a massive sale to dump all of its stock. It's sad, and people will lose their jobs, but on the plus side we might be able to get a cheap washing machine and a spare fridge out of it. Read More >>

The sad news about the doomed financial status of electrical chain Comet has been confirmed, with the store announcing plans to call in the administrators next week. The chain's web site is currently offline, while administrator Deloitte assembles some sort of closure and/or sale and salvage plan. [The Register] Read More >>

The retail parks of the country might be about to lose one of their most dedicated leaseholders, with struggling UK electronics retailer Comet said to be about to slump into administration. Read More >>

HMV looks like it's going the way of the dodo, but does it really think a "social media café" will save it from extinction? Apparently so, as the company reckons it's a bid to turn around its current misfortunes. Read More >>

Microsoft is set to bring its own take on the retail experience to the UK high street, with the software giant believed to be planning the launch of a number of physical shops next year. Read More >>