December 2, 2008 17:30

Zavvi suspends online trading and cancels customer orders

Customers could potentially be left without gifts in time for Christmas

Entertainment chain Zavvi has been forced to suspend online trading for CDs, DVDs and games as a result of Woolworths going into administration last week (November 26).

Woolworths' entertainment distributer, Entertainment UK, was also forced into administration. While Zavvi is not part of either company, its main supplier of CDs, DVDs and games is Entertainment UK.

A statement on Zavvi's website said: "Regretfully, at this time we are unable to fully guarantee the supply of DVD, music and games products to our customers (books remain unaffected). As you, our customers, remain our primary concern, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, we have decided to suspend taking orders for these products."

The statement also warned that customers who have placed orders but not received their products are likely to have their transactions cancelled and money refunded.

It says: "In addition, to avoid any uncertainty, we will be cancelling existing customer orders where delivery cannot be guaranteed. This will take place in the next few days and you will receive email confirmation if this applies to you."

As NME.COM previously reported, the collapse of Entertainment UK forced UK retailers to employ emergency delivery methods to ensure that new albums by Take That and Britney Spears were on the shelves yesterday (December 1), their day of release.