HMV to return to its iconic Oxford Street store next Friday after a four-year absence which saw it replaced by an American sweet shop
- The once-flagship store of HMV is set to reopen to the public on November 24
HMV is set to return to Oxford Street next week after a four-year absence from the West End shopping centre, which saw it replaced by an American sweet shop.
The music retailer has said its once flagship store, which is set to officially open to the public on November 24, will create 70 new jobs.
The store closed in 2019 after the company tumbled into administration before a rescue takeover was launched by Canadian Doug Putman’s Sunrise Records. The site then became an American sweet shop.
But in April, HMV, which opened its first shop back in 1921, confirmed it had sealed a deal with the landlord to return to the iconic site to the delight of music lovers.
The announcement was a huge boost to Britain’s beleaguered High Street, and especially Oxford Street, which has seen major brands including Topshop, Debenhams and House of Fraser close as they have been dealt hammerblows by economic crisis after crisis.
The music retailer has said its once flagship store, which is set to officially open to the public on November 24, will create 70 new jobs
The store closed in 2019 after the company tumbled into administration before a rescue takeover was launched by Canadian Doug Putman’s Sunrise Records
The store first opened to the public back in 1921
The site on Oxford Street went onto become an American sweet shop
HMV has said the shop will become the largest entertainment store in the capital, and that it expects to draw appearances and signings by renowned musicians to its ‘purpose-built performance floor’.
The store is set to stock more than 4,000 popular culture merchandise lines, some 20,000 vinyl albums and CDs, over 8,000 4kUHD, Blu-rays and DVD’s and music technology products.
The store will feature the company’s new logo and store layout, which it has been rolling out since 2021.
The retailer has shifted further towards pop culture merchandise, vinyl, music technology, such as headphones, and live music and signings in stores amid waning demand for DVDs and CDs.
HMV, which stands for His Masters Voice, said it will have brought the concept, which it dubs HMV Shop, to 24 new sites and 14 existing stores by the end of this year.
HMV currently has 120 shops across the UK, including a West London location in Westfield in White City, the specialist Fopp store in Covent Garden, and the 25,000 sq ft Vault in Birmingham – which is Europe’s largest entertainment store.
The company’s successful reopening of its once-flagship store follows a significant turnaround in trading since it was taken over by Mr Putman in 2019.
The company’s successful reopening of its once-flagship store follows a significant turnaround in trading since it was taken over by Mr Putman in 2019
The company began back in 1921 and held its iconic site on Oxford street for nearly 100 years
1921 – The opening ceremony at HMV Oxford Street was led by composer Sir Edward Elgar, which is thought to be the first ever in-store personal appearance by a recording artist
1950s – Shoppers look at classical music vinyl records at HMV Oxford Street
‘Our new HMV shop concept and fan-focused offer is really working for us, with HMV once again becoming a mainstay on the UK high street’, Mr Putman said.
‘The return to Oxford Street and reopening of our flagship is a culmination of the team’s hard work over the past four years and, as a business, we see it as the launchpad for an exciting new era for HMV.
‘We want our new Oxford Street shop to become a home for like-minded pop-culture fans and music lovers to come together under one roof, as it memorably has been in the past for so many people.
‘We can’t wait to open our doors on the 24th, with a host of exciting entertainment planned for our customers.’
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