All HMV articles
HMV is an iconic British entertainment retailer of physical media, including CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, vinyl, books, toys and other pop-culture merchandise. HMV stands for His Master’s Voice and the first store was opened by the Gramophone Company on London’s Oxford Street in 1921. It was rescued in 2019 by Canadian tycoon Doug Putman, who owns record store chain Sunrise Records and HMV Canada. HMV also owned bookstore Waterstones from 1998 until 2001 and took over a number of former Zavvi stores in 2009. The retailer still owns indie store Fopp, which has also been taken over by Putman, but only a handful of Fopp shops remain open.
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News
HMV boss Doug Putman considers rescue bid for The Body Shop
HMV owner Doug Putman is reportedly mulling a bid to buy The Body Shop out of administration after its collapse in February just weeks after being taken over by Aurelius.
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Gallery
The best new stores of 2023
From soaps on sushi belts at Lush Glasgow to in-house tea rooms at Uniqlo, Covent Garden here some of the most exciting stores that opened up in 2023.
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Gallery
HMV reopens iconic Oxford Street store
HMV has returned to its former home of 363 Oxford Street following a four-year absence, showcasing a range of vinyl, pop culture merchandise, DVDs, CDs and a purpose-built floor for live performances.
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News
HMV to reopen iconic Oxford Street store next week
HMV will be returning to its original home on Oxford Street next week, opening its doors on Friday, November 24.
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News
Oxford Street overhaul given the green light
Plans to overhaul Oxford Street with pocket parks, wider pavements and better crossings have been made official.
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News
Exclusive: OnBuy ‘exploring possible synergy’ with Putman to save Wilko
UK-based online marketplace OnBuy is exploring a “possible synergy” with HMV owner Doug Putman as they look to save Wilko, Retail Week can reveal.
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News
HMV owner Putman moves closer to rescue deal for Wilko
HMV owner Doug Putman is said to be edging closer to buying a large portion of troubled retailer Wilko.
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News
Wilko redundancies on hold while rescue bids considered
Redundancies at Wilko have been put on hold while last-minute rescue bids for the troubled retail chain are considered.
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News
HMV owner Putman makes last-minute offer for Wilko
HMV owner Doug Putman has made a last-ditch offer to save troubled retailer Wilko after the company fell into administration.
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Interview
Interview: HMV boss Doug Putman on the retailer's Oxford Street comeback
As the retailer reverses its fortunes and gears up to reopen its Oxford Street flagship, HMV chief executive Doug Putman talks about returning to the iconic store and how overhauling its product offering has paid off
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News
HMV to reopen iconic Oxford Street flagship
HMV is set to return to its flagship store on Oxford Street later this year following a four-year absence.
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Interview
Interview: HMV’s Doug Putman on stores, streaming and centenary celebrations
Having suffered tumbling profits and two administrations in the past decade alone, HMV has had to scrap its way to its 100th anniversary on the British high street.
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Retail Navigator Analysis
HMV (Overview)
HMV is an iconic entertainment retailer that had struggled to keep pace with the digital era. The business was snapped up by Canadian retail tycoon Doug Putman in February 2019, with just over 100 stores saved. Putman has been working hard to spin HMV’s fortunes around by growing its share of the physical music market, which is likely to see it remain a relatively small and specialist operation. Its UK store estate had grown to around 120 doors as of mid 2023.
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Retail Navigator Analysis
HMV (SWOT)
HMV is the last remaining entertainment specialist on the UK high street. It remains the case that sales of physical entertainment has been in long-term decline, however there is an opportunity to develop entertainment stores and focus on events and experiences.
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Retail Navigator Analysis
HMV (Financials)
HMV continued to record double-digit growth with revenue up 18% to £177.9m for the year ending 30 May 2023 (FY2022). “Continued investment” in its ecommerce platform as well as “offering products with sufficient exclusivity or collectability” were key levers for growth.
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News
HMV eyes recovery under Putman’s ownership
HMV has announced marginal losses amid the coronaviurs pandemic and owner Doug Putman says he is “positive about the months and years to come”.
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News
HMV owner expands store estate with US acquisition
HMV and Sunrise Records owner Doug Putman has acquired US retailer For Your Entertainment.
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News
Debenhams and HMV to close swathe of stores this month
Debenhams and HMV will both shutter stores this month as the retailers grapple with rising rents and business rates.
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News
Music sales hit highest level since 2006 but CDs plummet
Music sales hit their highest level since 2006 in the UK last year, despite sales of physical CDs continuing to plummet.
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Gallery
Interview: HMV boss vows return to profit as Birmingham superstore unveiled
Nine months after being bought out of administration, HMV’s new boss Doug Putman talks to Retail Week about its newest store opening in Birmingham today.