HMV
HMV is a music and entertainment retailer, founded in the United Kingdom in 1921. As of February 2024, it is currently operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan and Belgium, as well as having concessions at Toys "R" Us locations in Canada.[2]
This article is about the global music retailer. For other uses, see HMV (disambiguation).HMV
Music & film retail
20 July 1921
London, England, UK
119 shops (as of April 2023)
United Kingdom
Ireland
Belgium
Japan
Canada
Neil Taylor
(CEO)
Phil Halliday (managing director)
Music
film
television
merchandise
technology
video games
books
Sunrise Records (United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and Belgium)[a]
Lawson (Japan)
1,600 (as of 2019)[1]
The retailer's acronym stands for His Master's Voice, the title of a painting by Francis Barraud of Nipper listening to a phonograph.[3] The retailer was opened by the Gramophone Company on London's Oxford Street in 1921.[4] In 1998, it was divested from EMI (successor to the Gramophone Company), to form what would become HMV Group plc.[5] In August 2007, HMV bought rival retailer, Fopp.[6]
In April 2013, HMV was bought by Hilco UK for an estimated £50 million after falling into administration.[7] In February 2019, JD Sports acquired the HMV brand, with the Canadian retailer Sunrise Records operating the HMV shops under license.[8] The brand also exists in Japan, but under separate ownership.[9]
Product range[edit]
HMV's company slogan as of 2023 as depicted on the official website and advertising banners is vinyl ● music ● film and TV ● pop culture ● turntables.
HMV shops stock a range of products including audio, Blu-rays, CDs, audio cassettes, vinyl records, DVDs, record players and headphones as well as an increasing range of film, television and music merchandise.
HMV launched a music download service in October 2013 (www.hmvdigital.com), provided by 7digital,[89] which includes iOS and Android apps.[90]
HMV relaunched its online shop in June 2015, providing CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and LP records for online order and home delivery with exclusive stock also available.[91]
More recently, HMV has given extra focus to the rising trend of popular culture merchandise and launched a highly successful "Sweet Treats" range of Japanese and American sweets and drinks in 2020.
Loyalty programme[edit]
On 1 September 2008, HMV launched "Get Closer", a social networking site allowing users to import their own music library, rivalling other providers including online music shops Napster and the iTunes Store.[92] The site was closed in September 2009.[93]
HMV operated a loyalty scheme branded as "purehmv", first launched in August 2003, but subsequently closed and relaunched in 2008.[94] The scheme awarded cardholders points for purchases, which could be collected and redeemed on a number of rewards including vouchers, memorabilia and signed merchandise. "purehmv" has since closed and will be replaced by a new loyalty scheme, the launch date of which is yet to be announced.[95]
