Zavvi suspends online DVD sales

Zavvi was formerly known as Virgin

Woolworths' move into administration has forced fellow retailer Zavvi to stop taking new orders for CDs, DVDs and computer games via its website.

The move comes because Zavvi's main supplier of the items is Woolworths' unit Entertainment UK. Zavvi said it has also had to cancel existing orders.

Zavvi said affected customers would be sent an email notification, and it was working to find replacement suppliers.

WH Smith also said supply problems were affecting its online CD and DVD sales.

A spokeswoman confirmed the disruption was related to the failure of distributor Entertainment UK.

"We have a good supply of stock in our High Street stores, which are the core part of our business," she said.

WH Smith told visitors to its website that it hopes to have "key chart" CD and DVD lines available by the end of the week.

"Other product categories are unaffected and available for Christmas delivery," it said.

'Apologise'

Zavvi was formed when Virgin sold its music stories in September 2007 in a management buy-out.

Customers can be confident that Zavvi is doing everything possible to resolve the situation as quickly as possible

Zavvi statement

As well as its online operations, it has 100 stories across the UK which will still be open for business.

"Zavvi.co.uk would like to apologise for any inconvenience and would like to assure customers that this decision was not taken lightly," the company said on its website.

"Customers can be confident that Zavvi is doing everything possible to resolve the situation as quickly as possible."

Entertainment UK also supplies a number of other retailers, but it is not known how many have been affected, or whether they have been able to quickly switch to other suppliers.

Woolworths went into administration on Wednesday, 26 November.

Deloitte, Woolworths' administrator, said there had been "substantial interest" in the firm.