Yesterday U.K. retailer HMV announced its next-generation retail strategy. One store in the West Midland will be the test store. From the Times Online:

"After six months of refurbishment, HMV today unveils its solution – a 'compelling multi-channel social shopping space and experience' designed to attract the wifi-enabled shopper. The store, which measures 8,000 sq ft (750 sq m), contains digital kiosks that enable customers to download songs and video clips for free. Shoppers download the content on to a memory device, such as a USB memory stick, which they can then transfer to a PC, mobile phone or MP3 player."

A "social hub" will have iMacs while a "mini Apple store" will replace CD racks. A juice bar will sell smoothies and interactive screens will be found throughout the store.

Though Apple is mentioned throughout the article, there was no mention of one of the most important factor in HMV's in-store downloading success: the file format. Another important factor is whether or not consumers will bother using HMV's computers to do what they can do at home.