The shops had been put into receivership and the staff temporarily laid off when the company went into administration last month.
© PA Images / Yui Mok/PA Wire
HMV in Oxford Street, London
HMV management asked for the Ireland operation to be immediately closed down and sold off, but the company today (February 12) confirmed that efforts by Deloitte to find a buyer have not proved successful.
"Since his appointment, the receiver has conducted an assessment of the viability of the company and has actively sought a sale," a statement to the Irish Examiner read.
"The marketplace is very difficult given competition from web-based retailers and digital downloads, compounded by a number of other factors including high levels of rent.
"All stores were loss-making and it was not possible to attract a purchaser."
Staff at two shops in Limerick had staged a sit-in protest over unpaid wages from the entertainment retailer.
Over 60 HMV central office staff including CEO Trevor Moore and marketing director Mark Hodgkinson were made redundant last week.
