Hunting High and Low sold more than eight million copies worldwide and spawned two number one hits. In the fall of 1986, "Take On Me" and "The Sun Always Shines on TV" were nominated for 11 MTV Video Awards combined, and A-ha won eight of these. Tim DiGravina of AllMusic Guide said "It's a cohesive album with smart pace changeups, and it rarely fails to delight or satisfy a listener's need for a synth pop fix... One can't escape the feeling that Hunting High and Low is a product of the 1980s, but with highs like 'Take On Me' and 'The Sun Always Shines
William Low take over Hintons, which later became part of Safeway. In 1985, Wm Low took over Laws Stores at a cost of £7.1 million. Laws had a group predominantly based in the north-east of England with a portfolio of smaller stores than Wm Low. Wm Low proceeded to close unprofitable Laws stores in 1986. In 1989. Wm Low attempted to take over Budgens, a move described by Budgens as a friendly merger and which had looked to be a done deal. This deal ultimately collapsed. Also in 1989, James Millar of Wm Low approached John Apthorp, owner of Bejam Freezer Centres