Check HMV's shares

HMV refused to reveal the name of the potential suitor, but media reports have said private equity group Permira is behind the offer.

According to the reports, Permira has hired Merrill Lynch to advise it on a possible �800m ($1.4bn) takeover.

The news saw HMV's shares recover from lows hit last week after the retailer reported a fall in sales and profits.

Shares in the group had been languishing at two-year lows after it posted a 2.7% drop in like-for-like sales during the key Christmas period, down from a 6.4% rise a year ago.

It also revealed pre-tax profits had fallen fell to �0.2m for the 26 weeks to 29 October, down from �10.5m last year.

Tough market

Analysts blamed online competition and aggressive supermarket pricing policies for HMV's festive troubles.

European-based Permira is no stranger to UK buyouts. In 2001 in bought DIY chain Homebase - which was later sold on to Argos-owner GUS - and in 2003 it snapped up the Travel Lodge hotel business and roadside restaurant chain Little Chef.

In a statement, HMV said it had "received a preliminary approach from a third party which may or may not lead to an offer being made".