Friday 25th January 2013 by Grace Carroll | Photos by WENN

Up to half of HMV stores could be turned into supermarkets as a way for the chain to lessen its debt.

Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsburys are all reportedly interested in buying HMV stores and turning them into their own supermarkets instead. 

According to The Guardian, Morrisons could be interested in buying up to 20 stores as part of its M Local chain. They are also rumoured to be interested in buying some Blockbuster stores.

Morrisons currently only has 12 convenience stores and is aiming to increase this number to 50 after they admitted that their lack of smaller stores affected their ability to compete with their rivals over Christmas.

Tesco and Sainsburys are also thought to be interested in some stores, although neither chain has commented on this. Asda is thought to be unlikely to be interested, however, as it does not operate in stores under 750 sq metres.

Neil Sanders, of market analysts Conlumio, says, "There is a big push for good convenience store space and there is probably more demand than supply. HMV has some quite prime sites on high streets, but not all its sites will be suitable."

New Look, J Crew and JD Sports are also thought to be interested in buying some of HMV's 230 stores.

HMV could soon become part of a supermarket chain

Retail restructuring firm Hilco recently bought HMV's estimated £176m debt, in agreement with HMV Group's lenders, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland.

And according to Sky News, Hilco is currently in "detailed negotiations" with HMV administrator Deloitte, and trying to achieve an agreement that would mean all of HMV's 229 UK stores could continue to trade.

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