HMV launches games trade-in app

HMV has launched a new Android and iPhone app that tells gamers how much their games are worth.

Players can scan the barcode of their game (or in-put the details manually) and they app will come back with the most up-to-date price the gamer can expect to receive if they were to trade it in at HMV.

The app will also provide details of in-store trade in offers, and even boasts a store locator.

The app is named after the firm’s trade-in offer, re/play, and an early version has been released already. The firm hopes it will improve the customer experience for gamers looking to sell their titles.

The launch of the re/play application is part of HMV’s wider mobile strategy, which has seen the firm launch a variety of apps (including a transactional app and a Pure HMV app) in collaboration with MoPowered.

HMV Games re/play Manager, Martin Baxter said: "We’re incredibly proud and excited to be the-first-to-UK-market with a games trade-in app for iPhone and Android. This ground-breaking app will not only become a must-have download for current trade-in users, but will encourage a whole new range of customers who may have previously lacked the confidence or awareness to trade their games in.

"Whether users choose the manual search option or the equally simple barcode scanner, they will be given an instant trade-in value for their games and consoles before being directed to their nearest HMV. Our re/play app will not only reduce current store transaction times, but will enable customers to quickly select new games and other products they wish to trade-in against, safe in the knowledge of how much they have to spend.

"By launching this innovative new service HMV will further improve its customer experience, boost its mobile credentials and maintain its status as a credible destination specialist for games and other entertainment content."

HMV’s head of e-commerce Sarah Hughes said: "The relationship with our m-commerce partner Mobank has been a highly collaborative and supportive one, and their expertise and customer insights in this field are proving invaluable.

Head of mobile commerce David Rubin added: "It’s been great working with HMV as they really see the value that mobile can bring to a retailer’s customer offering. With this suite of apps, they are allowing customers to perform useful tasks and interact with HMV in a meaningful way. The data we are seeing from the apps is very encouraging and shows that beyond the app hype, there is a very real customer appetite for mobile apps from high street brands."