Trans World Enterrtainment's acquisition of 400 Musicland stores (see 'Trans World Bids for Musicland') has been approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York; the transaction will close next Monday.  After the transaction, 65 of the stores will be lliquidated, which will leave Trans World with 335 stores, roughly half Sam Goody and half Suncoast stores. 

 

Prior to Musicland's bankruptcy, Suncoast stores accounted for over 10% of the anime sales in the U.S. and between 5% and 10% of the U.S. manga market.  Musicland was also an important player in sales of movie, TV, and anime-based action figures and other licensed products.  It's unclear at this point whether those product lines will continue to be carried in the former Musicland stores.