HMV has entered a strategic partnership with ticket giant Ticketmaster UK to extend the scope of its Hmvtickets ticketing service.

The retailer has signed a deal with the Live Nation-owned company which allow it to introduce Hmvtickets box offices in 20 stores.

Ticketmaster customers will now be able to purchase Ticketmaster tickets in store from hmvtickets box offices. Ticketmaster will also be utilising HMV’s established retail distribution services to provide its customer with non-ticket related purchases such as CDs, DVDs and technology products.

Hmvtickets will remain HMV-branded but will now be operated by Ticketmaster. The service will be introduced over the next six to eight weeks as the service migrates to its new platform,

The arrangement will enable the multi-channel retailer to substantially broaden the number of events that it can offer.

An Hmvtickets team will remain in place at HMV to support established relationships. The retail specialist will also use its extensive contacts book of artists and label to secure tickets.

HMV chief executive Simon Fox said: “We remain committed to offering our customers a premium-quality ticketing service, and by partnering with the world’s number one ticket agent we’re now in a position to significantly expand the range and depth of events that we can make available to them, not just loads more gigs and festivals, but also across comedy, sport, theatre and many other attractions besides.”

Ticketmaster UK managing director Chris Edmonds said: “This partnership is bringing together two leaders in their field in the form of HMV as the leading entertainment retailer and Ticketmaster, the world’s leading ticket provider. 

“Enabling our customers to buy tickets from HMV’s network of stores is another great addition to our service we can now offer. We are excited about the opportunity of using our combined experience to deliver ticket and music bundles.”