View source for HMV

{{Short description|Music and entertainment retailer}}
{{About|the entertainment retailer|the entertainment trademark|His Master's Voice|the defunct British record label|His Master's Voice (British record label)|other uses of "His Master's Voice"|His Master's Voice (disambiguation)|other uses of "HMV"|HMV (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2024}}

{{Infobox company
| name = Sunrise Records and Entertainment Limited / Lawson Entertainment, Inc.
| logo = HMV Canada logo.png
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2007
| image = The HMV Shop, Trinity Walk, Wakefield, West Yorkshire (3rd December 2022).jpg
| image_caption = The exterior of a HMV location at Trinity Walk in Wakefield
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|20 July 1921}}
| location = [[London]], England<br />
[[Tokyo]], Japan (Lawson)
| key_people = Philip Halliday (managing director)<br />
Toru Noguchi (president and director, Japan)
| industry = Entertainment retailer
| products = Music<br />film<br />television<br />[[merchandise]]<br />technology<br />[[video games]]<br />books
| owner = [[Sunrise Records]] (United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium and Canada){{efn|Brand owned by Mermaid (Brands) Limited, a Hilco Capital company, as recorded on the Intellectual Property Office}}<br />[[Lawson (store)|Lawson]] (Japan)
| area_served = United Kingdom<br />Ireland<br />Belgium<br />Canada<br />Japan (Lawson)
| subsid = [[Fopp (retailer)|Fopp]] (UK)
| homepage = {{official URL}}
}}

'''HMV''' is an international music and entertainment retailer, founded in 1921. The brand is owned by [[Hilco Capital]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=(Brands) Limited |first=Mermaid |date=10 December 2024 |title=UK00002460933 |url=https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00002460933 |access-date=6 March 2025 |website=Companies House}}</ref> and operated by [[Sunrise Records]], except in Japan, where it is owned and operated by [[Lawson (store)|Lawson]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=株式会社 ローソンエンタテインメント |url=https://www.ent.lawson.co.jp |access-date=2024-11-27}}</ref>

The inaugural shop was opened on London's [[Oxford Street]] by the [[Gramophone Company]], who had already established the [[His Master's Voice]] symbol on their sound equipment, and from 1909, as its own [[His Master's Voice (British record label)|record label]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holden |first=Jake |date=2023-11-23 |title=HMV to return to its iconic Oxford Street location after four-year closure |url=https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/hmv-return-iconic-oxford-street-28147471 |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=My London |language=en}}</ref> In the 1960s, HMV became a chain across London, and expanded nationwide in the 1970s. It expanded internationally in the mid-1980s, and opened its 100th UK shop in 1997.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-01-15 |title=HMV: A visual history |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21028024 |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 1998, the retail operations were divested from [[EMI]] (successor to the Gramophone Company), to form what would become HMV Group plc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barlow |first=Alastair |date=2020-01-29 |title=HMV's top dog could be in the kennels once again |url=https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/blogs/alastairbarlow/hmvs-top-dog-could-be-in-the-kennels-once-again |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=AccountingWEB |language=en}}</ref> In 2007, HMV bought rival retailer, [[Fopp (retailer)|Fopp]], as well divesting its Japanese business.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV sells off Japanese business |url=https://www.crn.com.au/news/hmv-sells-off-japanese-business-88001 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=CRN Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Katie |date=2007-08-01 |title=Fopp lives again after HMV buys six shops and online operation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/aug/01/newmedia.business |access-date=2024-02-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In April 2013, HMV was rescued by [[Hilco Capital]] for an estimated £50 million after falling into administration.<ref name="Hilco">{{Cite news |date=5 April 2013 |title=HMV is sold to Hilco in rescue deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22040237 |access-date=5 April 2013 |work=BBC News}}</ref> In February 2019, the Canadian retailer [[Sunrise Records (retailer)|Sunrise Records]] rescued 100 of the 127 HMV shops from Hilco after a second administration, but with Hilco retaining ownership of the HMV brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV sold to Sunrise Records |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/hmv-sold-sunrise-records-942556 |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=The Bookseller |language=En}}</ref>

In May 2023, Sunrise Records announced HMV would return to Ireland, followed by an announcement in November 2023 that it would also enter the Belgian market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV to return to Irish Republic with Dublin flagship store |url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/hmv-to-return-to-irish-republic-with-dublin-flagship-store/087904 |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.musicweek.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-09 |title=HMV starts European expansion in Belgium |url=https://www.retaildetail.eu/news/leisure/hmv-starts-european-expansion-in-belgium/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=RetailDetail EU |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2024, Sunrise Records announced HMV would re-enter the Canadian market as a [[store-within-a-store]] concept within [[Toys "R" Us Canada|Toys "R" Us]] locations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV making comeback through Toys "R" Us locations in Ontario {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10266142/hmv-comeback-toys-r-us-ontario/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
===Origins===
In 1898, [[Francis Barraud]] painted [[His Master's Voice]], which depicted his late dog, [[Nipper]], listening to a [[phonograph]]. The painting and subsequent trademark rights would be sold in 1899 to the [[Gramophone Company]], using it on its sound equipment, and in 1909, created their [[His Master's Voice (British record label)|His Master's Voice]] record label.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-12-28 |title=HMV: The rise and fall of a music icon |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46700080 |access-date=2025-01-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 1921, the Gramophone Company opened the first dedicated His Master's Voice shop at 363 [[Oxford Street]], London, in a former men's clothing shop.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2011 |title=Inside the Oxford Street HMV Store in the Sixties – Voices of East Anglia |url=http://www.voicesofeastanglia.com/2011/06/inside-the-oxford-street-hmv-store-in-the-sixties.html |access-date=10 November 2015 |website=Voices of East Anglia}}</ref> Composer [[Edward Elgar]] participated in the opening ceremonies.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 2013 |title=1921: HMV's first store is opened by Edward Elgar |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2013/jan/15/hmv-shop-london-first-elgar-london-1921 |access-date=26 January 2013}}</ref> In March 1931 the Gramophone Company merged with [[Columbia Graphophone Company]] to form Electric and Musical Industries Ltd ([[EMI]]), with the Gramophone Company becoming part of EMI.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{Cite news |date=24 January 2000 |title=EMI: A Brief History |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/616485.stm |access-date=15 January 2009 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

The original HMV shop was severely damaged by a fire in 1937, but was rebuilt and reopened two years later on 8 May 1939. [[Sir Thomas Beecham]] opened the new shop.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV 363 Oxford Street 1937 Fire Pictures, with speech by Sir Thomas Beecham|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP9VNJCDLbk&feature=emb_logo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/GP9VNJCDLbk |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|access-date=28 February 2021|website=Youtube| date=21 July 2010 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Expansion===
[[File:HMV - Oxford Street 1.jpg|thumb|HMV's former flagship branch at 150–154 [[Oxford Street]], London. It was later converted into a [[Frasers Group|Sports Direct]] shop in 2015.]]
In 1966, HMV began expanding its retail operations in London. Throughout the 1970s, the company continued to expand, doubling in size, and in six years became the country's leading specialist music retailer. It faced strong competition, however, from [[Virgin Megastores]], established in 1976, and from [[Our Price]], established in 1972, which had numerous high street retail shops around the UK. Subsequently, HMV overtook Our Price in popularity and threatened its existence, having established a chain of newer and larger shops.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

The company opened its flagship shop at a new location at 150–154 Oxford Street in 1986, announcing it was the largest record shop in the world at the time, and the official opening was attended by [[Bob Geldof]] and [[Michael Hutchence]].<ref name="Beeching">{{Cite news |last=Philip Beeching |date=15 January 2013 |title=HMV: How the top dog lost its bite |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21028803 |access-date=15 January 2013}}</ref> Growth continued for a third decade into the 1990s, with the company reaching over 320 shops<ref name=Beeching/> including in 1990 its first shop in the U.S. located at 86th and Lexington in New York City, which was the largest music shop in North America at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 May 1990 |title=Brit 'superstore' to set up shop in Gotham |page=307 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> HMV celebrated its 75-year anniversary in 1996.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk" />

In February 1998, EMI entered into a joint venture with [[Advent International]] to form HMV Media Group led by [[Alan Giles]], which acquired HMV's shops and [[Dillons the Bookstore|Dillons]], leaving EMI with a holding of around 45%.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boehm |first=Erich |date=25 February 1998 |title=EMI spins off HMV record shop chain |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/emi-spins-off-hmv-record-store-chain-1117468118/ |access-date=22 March 2015}}</ref> The new joint venture then bought the [[Waterstones]] chain of bookshops to merge with Dillons.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 1998 |title=WH Smith unloads book shop chain |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/59970.stm |access-date=22 March 2015}}</ref>

===Flotation===
By 2002, EMI's holding in HMV Media was 43%, with Advent International owning 40% and management the remainder.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} The company floated on the [[London Stock Exchange]] later in the year as HMV Group plc, leaving EMI with only a token holding.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 April 2002 |title=HMV set for stock market debut |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1922991.stm |access-date=22 March 2015}}</ref>

HMV operated a loyalty scheme branded as "purehmv", first launched in August 2003, but subsequently closed and relaunched in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 December 2008 |title=HMV Plans Reward Card Roll Out |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i935003166745e37d3e62fdb3722b6af0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625151959/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i935003166745e37d3e62fdb3722b6af0 |archive-date=25 June 2009 |access-date=15 January 2009 |publisher=HMV}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV Loyalty |url=https://purehmv.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805174334/http://purehmv.com/ |archive-date=5 August 2019 |access-date=5 August 2019 |website=purehmv.com}}</ref>

The group became susceptible to a takeover following a poor period of trading up to Christmas 2005. Private equity firm [[Permira]] made a £762&nbsp;million conditional bid for the group (based on 190p a share) on 7 February 2006, which was rejected by HMV as an insufficient valuation of the company.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2006 |title=Retailer HMV rejects bid approach |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4800548.stm |access-date=15 January 2009}}</ref> Permira made a second offer which increased the value, although HMV declined it on 13 March 2006, subsequently issuing a statement that the offer undervalued the medium and long term prospects for the company,<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2006 |title=HMV rejects second bid approach |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4800548.stm |access-date=30 December 2006}}</ref> resulting in Permira withdrawing from bidding.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 March 2006 |title=HMV suitor Permira abandons bid |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4826132.stm |access-date=30 December 2006}}</ref>

===Acquisitions===
[[File:HMV, Leeds 001.jpg|thumb|A large HMV branch in [[Leeds]] incorporating an [[Orange (UK)|Orange]] shop]]
In 2006, the HMV Group purchased the [[Ottakar's]] book chain and merged it into Waterstones. The merger tied into HMV's strategy for growth, as many of the Ottakar's branches were in smaller towns. The [[Competition Commission]] provisionally cleared HMV Group, through Waterstones, for takeover of the Ottakar's group on 30 March 2006, stating that the takeover would "not result in a substantial lessening of competition".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Muspratt |first=Caroline |date=12 May 2006 |title=HMV merger with Ottakers cleared |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2938612/HMV-merger-with-Ottakars-cleared.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2938612/HMV-merger-with-Ottakars-cleared.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=16 August 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Waterstones then announced that it had successfully negotiated a takeover of Ottakar's on 31 May 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walsh |first=Fiona |date=1 June 2006 |title=Ottaker's accepts HMV takeover though price is slashed |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/jun/01/media |access-date=16 August 2009}}</ref> All 130 Ottakar's shops were rebranded as Waterstones prior to Christmas 2006. In March 2007, new group CEO Simon Fox announced a 10% reduction over three years in the enlarged Waterstones total shop space, comprising mostly dual location shops created by the acquisition of Ottakar's.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feltham |first=Cliff |date=29 June 2007 |title=HMV to stay on High Street despite falling sales of CDs |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/hmv-to-stay-on-high-street-despite-falling-sales-of-cds-455201.html |access-date=16 August 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On 29 June 2007, the entertainment retailer [[Fopp (retailer)|Fopp]] went into administration, with the closure of 81 shops and 800 staff made redundant.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Katie |date=29 June 2007 |title=Fopp closes it stores and appoints administrators |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/jun/29/musicnews.retail |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> On 31 July HMV bought the brand and six shops that it said had traded profitably, saving around 70 jobs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 July 2007 |title=HMV snaps up Fopp name and shops |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6923511.stm |access-date=31 July 2007}}</ref>

On 1 September 2008, HMV launched "Get Closer", a social networking site allowing users to import their own music library, rivalling other providers including [[Digital music store|online music shops]] [[Napster (pay service)|Napster]] and the [[iTunes Store]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=James |date=26 April 2008 |title=HMV tries to Get Closer with social networking test |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2789004/HMV-tries-to-Get-Closer-with-social-networking-test.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2789004/HMV-tries-to-Get-Closer-with-social-networking-test.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |access-date=15 January 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The site was closed in September 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duncan Geere |date=7 September 2009 |title=HMV shutters GetCloser.com social network |url=http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/26942/hmv-shutters-getcloser-social-network |access-date=2 November 2012 |publisher=Pocket-lint}}</ref>

On 24 December 2008, HMV's rival [[Zavvi (retailer)|Zavvi]], successor to entertainment retailer Virgin Megastores, entered administration. On 14 January 2009 a placing announcement by HMV revealed that it intended to acquire 14 of Zavvi's shops.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 January 2009 |title=Placing announcement |url=http://www.hmvgroup.com/media/view.jsp?agreed=true&selectedDisclaimerCountry=UK&id=1271 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604051127/http://www.hmvgroup.com/media/view.jsp?agreed=true&selectedDisclaimerCountry=UK&id=1271 |archive-date=4 June 2009 |access-date=14 January 2009 |publisher=HMV}}</ref> On 18 February 2009 five additional Zavvi shops were purchased by HMV Group, to be rebranded as HMV outlets. An additional former Zavvi shop in Exeter's [[Princesshay]] development was also added.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 February 2009 |title=End of the road for Zavvi |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1097409_end_of_the_road_for_zavvi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907061239/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1097409_end_of_the_road_for_zavvi |archive-date=7 September 2012 |access-date=18 February 2009 |website=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> The acquisitions were investigated and cleared by the [[Office of Fair Trading]] in April 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2009 |title=HMV/Zavvi |url=http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/Mergers_home/Mergers_Cases/2009/hmv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903225501/http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/Mergers_home/Mergers_Cases/2009/hmv |archive-date=3 September 2009 |access-date=24 December 2009 |publisher=Office of Fair Trading}}</ref>

In the 2008 MCV Industry Excellence Awards, HMV was given the title Entertainment Retailer of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MCV Awards '08 |website=MCV |date=11 April 2008 |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/30160/MCV-Awards-08-The-winners-in-full |access-date=14 April 2008 }}</ref>

In January 2009, HMV bought a 50% stake in MAMA Group, forming a joint venture with the group called the Mean Fiddler Group.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Zoe |date=14 January 2009 |title=HMV to enter live music market |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/jan/14/hmv-enters-live-music-market |access-date=22 March 2015}}</ref> The deal introduced the HMV brand to live music venues, including the [[Hammersmith Apollo]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leroux |first=Marcus |date=15 January 2009 |title=HMV Group plugs into live music market |work=The Times |location=London |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article5519903.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612095924/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article5519903.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2011 |access-date=30 March 2010}}</ref> On 23 December 2009, it bought the whole of the MAMA Group in a live music takeover deal worth £46&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 December 2009 |title=HMV buys MAMA Group in live music takeover deal |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8428713.stm |access-date=22 March 2015}}</ref>

In September 2009, HMV bought 50% of [[7digital]] for £7.7&nbsp;million, as part of a strategy to increase its digital content offering. 7digital provided HMV's music download service, and the company planned to introduce an [[e-book]]s service for Waterstone's.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 September 2009 |title=HMV takes 50% stake in 7digital |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8235193.stm |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref>

In October 2009, HMV established a joint venture with [[Curzon Cinemas]] as part of chief executive Simon Fox's plan to bring cinemas to HMV and Waterstone's shops across England. The first trial cinema opened above the existing HMV shop in [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]], in a former storage room converted into three separate screens and a bar. It has its own entrance, allowing access outside shop hours, and one within the shop. The trial was deemed a success, and it had been planned to open additional cinemas in HMV's Cheltenham shop, and Waterstone's in [[Piccadilly]], London.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Zoe |date=25 October 2009 |title=HMV cinemas: coming to a high street near you |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/oct/25/hmv-curzon-artificial-eye-cinemas |access-date=15 January 2009 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref>{{needs update|date=May 2023}}

On 5 January 2011, HMV announced that profits would be at the lower end of analysts' forecasts due to falling sales, resulting in the share price falling by 20%<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b105f708-189f-11e0-b7ee-00144feab49a.html?ftcamp=rss HMV warns on store closures]. ''Financial Times''.</ref> and an announcement of the group's intention to close 40 HMV shops, as well as 20 Waterstone's bookshops, mainly in towns and cities where the company operated at multiple locations. The first of the shop closures began at the end of January 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Wearden |first1=Graeme |last2=Bowers |first2=Simon |last3=Wood |first3=Zoe |date=5 January 2011 |title=HMV issues profit warning after grim Christmas |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/jan/05/hmv-profits-warning-grim-christmas}}</ref>

The sale of Waterstone's to A&NN Capital Fund Management for £53&nbsp;million was completed on 29 June 2011, and was approved by the vast majority of shareholders at an [[Extraordinary general meeting|emergency general meeting]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=29 June 2011 |title=HMV Group completes sale of Waterstone's |work=Retail Gazette |url=http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/articles/43342-hmv-group-completes-sale-of-waterstones |url-status=dead |access-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925042137/http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/articles/43342-hmv-group-completes-sale-of-waterstones |archive-date=25 September 2011}}</ref>

HMV sold the [[Hammersmith Apollo]] to [[AEG Live]] and [[Eventim UK|Eventim]] in May 2012 for £32&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 2012 |title=Hammersmith Apollo in London sold by HMV to Stage C |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18284304 |access-date=8 October 2012}}</ref> It sold the remainder of MAMA Group to [[Lloyds Development Capital]] in December 2012 for £7.3&nbsp;million, which also included the company's 50% stake in Mean Fiddler Group.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anne-Sylvaine Chassany |date=3 December 2012 |title=HMV sells Mama Group music arm to LDC |work=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8bd9b3a8-3d6d-11e2-9f35-00144feabdc0.html |access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref>

===Administration (2013)===
[[File:HMV, Kirkgate, Wakefield (10th March 2013) 002.JPG|thumb|A branch in [[Wakefield]] closing as part of the group administration (March 2013). This unit has since been occupied by [[Waterstones]].]]
On 15 January 2013, HMV Group appointed [[Deloitte]] as company [[Administration (law)|administrators]]<ref name="Deloitte UK">{{Cite news |date=15 January 2013 |title=Deloitte appointed administrators to HMV Group plc, HMV Music Ltd, HMV UK Ltd and Fopp Entertainments Ltd |publisher=Deloitte UK |url=http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GB/uk/services/corporate-finance/93a34f0356f3c310VgnVCM3000003456f70aRCRD.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125063946/http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GB/uk/services/corporate-finance/93a34f0356f3c310VgnVCM3000003456f70aRCRD.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013}}</ref> and suspended [[Share (finance)|shares]],<ref name="propertymall.com">{{Cite web |title=Propertymall.com |url=http://www.propertymall.com/press/article/30727 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130216162541/http://www.propertymall.com/press/article/30727 |archivedate=16 February 2013 |website=Propertymall.com}}</ref> putting its 4,350 UK employees at the risk of redundancy.<ref name="Deloitte UK" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 January 2013 |title=HMV music and film chain to appoint administrator |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21021073 |access-date=16 January 2013}}</ref> Gift vouchers were initially declared void since holders are classified as unsecured creditors to whom the company owed the value,<ref name="Are your HMV gift vouchers worthless?">{{Cite news |last=King |first=Mark |date=15 January 2013 |title=Are your HMV gift vouchers worthless? |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/jan/15/are-hmv-gift-vouchers-worthless-administration |access-date=15 January 2013}}</ref> but were accepted again from 22 January 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 January 2013 |title=HMV will accept gift vouchers |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21118711 |access-date=21 January 2013}}</ref>

Restructuring firm Hilco UK bought HMV's debt from its creditors [[The Royal Bank of Scotland]] and [[Lloyds Banking Group]], as a step towards potentially taking control of the company.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simon Neville |date=12 March 2013 |title=Asda holds talks over possible bid for HMV |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/mar/12/asda-eyes-potential-hmv-bid |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> It was revealed that the total debt Hilco had bought amounted to around £110&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simon Bowers |date=15 March 2013 |title=Fopp suitors boost hopes of high street music stores revival |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/mar/15/fopp-suitors-music-stores-revival |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> and that HMV owed around £20&nbsp;million in tax to [[HM Revenue and Customs]] at the time of its entry into administration.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

On 31 January 2013, it was reported that 190 redundancies had been made at the head office and distribution centres.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 January 2013 |title=BBC News HMV administrators announce 190 job losses |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21276913 |access-date=1 February 2013}}</ref>

On 7 February 2013, Deloitte confirmed that 66 shops had been identified for closure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 February 2013 |title=Deloitte press release – Together "HMV" or "the Companies" – in administration – update |url=http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GB/uk/news/news-releases/3bc052aa024bc310VgnVCM2000003356f70aRCRD.htm |access-date=7 February 2013 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714160317/http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GB/uk/news/news-releases/3bc052aa024bc310VgnVCM2000003356f70aRCRD.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> No fixed date was given for the closures but they were expected to take place in the following two months. The next day, Deloitte confirmed that an additional 60 redundancies, including the chief executive Trevor Moore, had been made at the group's offices in London, Marlow and Solihull.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 February 2013 |title=HMV boss Trevor Moore made redundant |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21390535 |access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref> Deloitte confirmed on 20 February 2013 that an additional 37 shops would close.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 February 2013 |title=HMV to close 37 more shops in UK |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21517862 |access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref> On 26 February 2013, six shops were sold to supermarket chain [[Morrisons]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Gemma |date=26 February 2013 |title=Morrisons acquires 6 HMV stores |url=http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/articles/13134-morrisons-acquires-6-hmv-stores |access-date=2 September 2013 |website=Retail Gazette}}</ref>

On 28 February 2013, eight shops in Hong Kong and Singapore were sold to AID Partners Capital Limited and the operation then became independent from HMV Group that was bought by Hilco UK.  This transaction also enabled AID Partners Capital Limited to own the rights to use the HMV brand in Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan and Singapore.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 February 2013|title=BRIEF-Administrators to HMV sell Hong Kong, Singapore stores|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/hmv-brief-idUSWLA0076H20130228|access-date=10 November 2021|website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

By 23 March 2013, Deloitte was seeking to complete a deal to sell 120 shops as a going concern.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Graham Ruddick |date=23 March 2013 |title=Hilco in talks with suppliers about securing HMV deal |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9950128/Hilco-in-talks-with-suppliers-about-securing-HMV-deal.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9950128/Hilco-in-talks-with-suppliers-about-securing-HMV-deal.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=28 March 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The decision to close several shops that had previously been identified for closure were reversed following talks with landlords.<ref>{{Cite news |last=James Ferguson |date=27 March 2013 |title=Stockport HMV given reprieve |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/hmv-store-been-scheduled-closure-2013890 |access-date=28 March 2013}}</ref>

===Hilco ownership (2013–2019)===
[[File:HMV Oxford Street by Alex Liivet.jpg|thumb|HMV reopened its original shop at 363 Oxford Street (previously Foot Locker until 2010) in October 2013. This shop was closed on 5 February 2019 following the purchase of HMV by Sunrise Records. The location was later turned into an American candy outlet in 2022, and was then finally reopened in November 2023.]]
On 5 April 2013, Hilco UK announced that it had acquired HMV, taking the company out of administration and saving 141 of its shops and around 2,500 jobs. The total included 25 shops that had previously been selected for closure by Deloitte during the administration process. All nine Fopp shops which HMV owned were also included in the purchase. The takeover deal was estimated at £50&nbsp;million.<ref name="Hilco" />

Following the purchase by Hilco UK, it was reported that the company was seeking to reduce the number of shop staff across the business, as part of an effort to save £7.8&nbsp;million on the wages budget. Shops would lose security staff, cashiers and supervisors, with managers required to provide cover.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ben Parfitt |date=15 April 2013 |title=Hilco to cut 400 jobs – report |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/hilco-to-cut-400-hmv-jobs-report/0114090 |access-date=17 April 2013 |publisher=MCV}}</ref>

HMV launched a music download service in October 2013 (www.hmvdigital.com), provided by 7digital,<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV |url=http://about.7digital.com/our-work/hmv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150427075534/http://about.7digital.com/our-work/hmv |archive-date=27 April 2015 |access-date=23 March 2015 |publisher=7digital}}</ref> which includes [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] apps.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Collins |first=Katie |date=17 October 2013 |title=HMV stages comeback with launch of digital download service and apps |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-10/17/hmv-digital-download-service |access-date=23 March 2015 |magazine=Wired}}</ref>

The company moved its flagship [[Oxford Street]] shop back to the original site at 363 Oxford Street on 23 October 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Howie |first=Michael |date=27 September 2013 |title=HMV to reopen legendary Oxford Street flagship shop |work=London Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hmv-to-reopen-legendary-oxford-street-flagship-store-8843423.html |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> HMV's existing flagship shop at 150–154 Oxford Street, formerly the largest music shop in the world, closed on 14 January 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shaikh |first=Thair |date=14 January 2014 |title=HMV closes historic Oxford Street store |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/hmv-closes-historic-oxford-street-store-9056780.html |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref>

By 2014, HMV had gained the second highest share of the UK entertainment market, behind [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]].<ref name="Ruddick">{{Cite news |last=Ruddick |first=Graham |date=4 August 2014 |title=HMV reclaims second place in entertainment market from Tesco |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11008951/HMV-reclaims-second-place-in-entertainment-market-from-Tesco.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11008951/HMV-reclaims-second-place-in-entertainment-market-from-Tesco.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 March 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The company's filing to [[Companies House]] in September 2014 revealed it had made a profit of £17&nbsp;million in the 11 months since it had entered administration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marlow |first=Ben |date=27 September 2014 |title=HMV stages £17m comeback |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11125772/HMV-stages-17m-comeback.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11125772/HMV-stages-17m-comeback.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 March 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In January 2015, HMV overtook Amazon to become the largest retailer of physical music in the UK.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ruddick |first=Graham |date=16 January 2015 |title=HMV reclaims its position as Britain's biggest music retailer |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11348287/HMV-reclaims-its-position-as-Britains-biggest-music-retailer.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11348287/HMV-reclaims-its-position-as-Britains-biggest-music-retailer.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=23 March 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vizard |first=Sarah |date=18 June 2015 |title=HMV looks to bring high street experience online with new ecommerce site |url=https://www.marketingweek.com/2015/06/18/hmv-looks-to-bring-high-street-experience-online-with-new-ecommerce-site/ |access-date=20 January 2019 |work=Marketing Week}}</ref>

In June 2015, HMV relaunched an online shop to accompany its existing music download service.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stassen |first=Murray |date=22 June 2015 |title=HMV relaunches web store |url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/hmv-launches-web-store-again/062123 |access-date=5 July 2015 |work=Music Week}}</ref>

However, the originally safe shops of York, Soilhull, Portsmouth and Belfast shut.{{When|date=April 2025}}{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

=== Sunrise ownership (2019–present) ===
[[File:First floor, HMV, Lands Lane, Leeds (6th March 2019).jpg|thumb|right|Interior of HMV on Lands Lane in Leeds in 2019.]]
On 28 December 2018, HMV confirmed it had again been placed into [[Administration (law)|administration]]. Hilco UK cited the "tsunami" of retail competition as the reason for the move.<ref>{{Cite news |title=HMV calls in administrators for second time in six years |work=BBC News |date=28 December 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46699290 |access-date=28 December 2018 }}</ref> On 5 February 2019, Canadian record shop chain [[Sunrise Records (retailer)|Sunrise Records]] announced its acquisition of HMV Retail Ltd. from Hilco UK for an undisclosed amount. Sunrise had previously acquired the leases for over 70 HMV locations in Canada after [[HMV Canada]] entered receivership, which expanded the [[Ontario]]-based retailer into a national chain. Sunrise plans to maintain the HMV chain and five Fopp shops, but immediately closed 27 locations, including the flagship Oxford Street branch and other locations with high rent costs.<ref name=":0" />

Company founder [[Doug Putman]] stated that he planned to increase the chain's emphasis on vinyl phonograph sales as part of the turnaround plan: Sunrise's leverage of the [[vinyl revival]] had helped bolster the Canadian locations' performance after the shops' transitions from HMV, having sold at least 500,000 vinyl LPs in 2017 alone. Putman argued that, despite the growth of digital music sales and streaming, "talk about the demise of the physical business is sometimes a bit exaggerated, especially in music specialists. Most of the decline is coming from nontraditional sellers like the grocery chains. We'll be here for quite some time."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Pete |title=Canada's Sunrise Records swoops in to buy British music store chain HMV out of bankruptcy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sunrise-records-hmv-1.5006110|website=Cbc.ca |access-date=5 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="fyi-sunrisehmv">{{Cite web |title=Sunrise Records Goes National With HMV's Demise |url=http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/02/27/sunrise-records-goes-national-hmvs-demise |access-date=27 February 2017 |website=FYI Music News |date=27 February 2017 |archive-date=28 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228083325/http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/02/27/sunrise-records-goes-national-hmvs-demise |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Monaghan |first1=Angela |last2=Butler |first2=Sarah |date=5 February 2019 |title=HMV reveals which 27 stores have closed after sale to Canadian music boss |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/feb/05/hmv-bought-doug-putman-stores-jobs |access-date=5 February 2019 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

On 25 February 2019, the ''Financial Times'' reported that the Sunrise acquisition was valued at £883,000. Following subsequent negotiations with its landlords, by late-February, HMV reopened 13 of its shops (including one Fopp shop).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sunrise Records paid £883000 for HMV |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e3d567c6-38ef-11e9-b856-5404d3811663 |access-date=28 February 2019 |website=Financial Times|date=25 February 2019 |last1=Eley |first1=Jonathan }}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hope |first=Fiona |title=HMV brings back nine shuttered stores |url=https://www.psneurope.com/business/hmv-brings-back-stores |access-date=28 February 2019 |website=PSNEurope|date=25 February 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=hmv stores: Details of Re-Openings... |url=https://www.hmv.com/music/hmv-stores-re-opening |website=HMV |access-date=9 March 2019 |archive-date=1 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101025827/https://www.hmv.com/music/hmv-stores-re-opening |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The shop in Belfast, which had previously re-opened up in March 2014 after a £1&nbsp;million pound refurbishment, was threatened with closure in February 2019. However, a deal was reached with [[Frasers Group]] which allowed the shop to continue trading.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV to open revamped Belfast store |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/business/hmv-to-open-revamped-belfast-store-1-5962606 |access-date=6 October 2017 |website=newsletter.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=HMV to play on at Belfast store as agreement reached with landlord |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/hmv-to-play-on-at-belfast-store-as-agreement-reached-with-landlord-37970730.html |access-date=5 August 2019 |work=The Belfast Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

In October 2019, the new owners opened the HMV Vault on Dale End, [[Birmingham]], billed as Europe's biggest entertainment shop and stocking tens of thousands of CDs and vinyl records and other products.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/11/hmv-vault-europes-biggest-entertainment-store-birmingham|title=HMV to open Europe's biggest entertainment store in Birmingham|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=11 October 2019}}</ref>
[[File:HMVYonge.JPG|thumb|The former flagship Canadian HMV, located at Yonge Street in Toronto. [[His Master's Voice|Nipper]] is notably missing from the fascia, as it is owned by a different entity in Canada.]]

==== COVID-19 pandemic and 100th birthday (2020–2021) ====
From 22 March to 15 June, and then from 5 November to 2 December 2020 and from 4 January 2021 to 12 April 2021 (in England), all HMV shops were closed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=HMV stores to shut from end of Sunday |url=https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/hmv-stores-shut-end-sunday-2504943 |website=Northantstelegraph.co.uk}}</ref>

Into the 2020s, HMV began opening new and relocated shops, including in locations which previously had HMV branches that had earlier shut, such as [[Solihull]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/hmv-solihull-among-7-new-21126879|title=7 new shops to visit in Solihull town centre|first=Emily|last=Collis|date=24 July 2021|website=Birminghammail.co.uk|access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> In some cases these new outlets were opened in shops vacated by the demise of other retail chains, particularly [[Arcadia Group]], with an HMV shop opened in [[Dunfermline]] premises previously occupied by [[Burton (retailer)|Burton Menswear]] and [[Dorothy Perkins]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/business/hmv-announces-opening-date-of-new-fife-store-3848224|title=HMV announces opening date of new Fife store|website=Fifetoday.co.uk|date=19 September 2022 |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> a return to [[Broadway Shopping Centre, Bexleyheath]] – again in former Burton/Perkins premises – nine years after the closure of their previous shop in the town,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10306180.bexleyheath-hmv-set-to-close-today/|title=Bexleyheath HMV set to close today|date=21 March 2013|website=Newsshopper.co.uk|access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> and a relocation in [[Wigan]] from a smaller prior site to larger premises vacated by [[Topshop]]/[[Topman]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wigantoday.net/business/new-and-improved-wigan-hmv-store-opens-its-doors-3646615|title=New and improved Wigan HMV store opens its doors|website=Wigantoday.net|date=8 April 2022 |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref>

In July 2021, HMV celebrated its 100th birthday. In celebration, the firm released 37 limited edition vinyl albums.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/hmv-reveal-full-line-up-for-their-centenary-vinyl-exclusives-day-on-july-24__33499/|title = HMV reveal full line-up for their Centenary Vinyl 'Exclusives Day'|website = [[OfficialCharts.com]]}}</ref> A 100 track CD compilation entitled ''Now That's What I Call HMV'' was also released. The album was only available to buy at HMV shops, and online on HMV's website, plus [[eBay]].

In 2021, the company began to rebrand, using the motto "The HMV Shop" for shopfronts and social media; the previous logo is still used in most shops (including the flagship HMV Vault shop), and the website.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodgson |first=Barbara |date=2021-10-02 |title=HMV reopens at Metrocentre with whole new arty vibe |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/hmv-reopens-metrocentre-whole-new-21733258 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=ChronicleLive |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:HMV Oxford Circus opening 2.jpg|thumb|The Oxford Street shop re-opened in November 2023 after four years of closure.]]
In April 2023, it was confirmed that HMV had signed up to reopen a new-format shop in their original home at 363 Oxford Street after four years away,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-65417131|title=HMV's flagship Oxford Street store to reopen|date=28 April 2023|access-date=24 August 2023|website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref> during which time the premises had been occupied temporarily by "American candy" outlets, along with other vacated shops on the street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/news/hmvs-flagship-oxford-street-store-has-turned-into-an-american-candy-shop-022222|title=HMV's flagship Oxford Street shop has turned into an American candy store|first=Chiara|last=Wilkinson|date=5 April 2022|website=Time Out London|access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> This will be, following runs from 1921 to 2000 and 2013–2019, HMV's third stint at 363 Oxford Street.

On 18 May 2023, Sunrise Records announced that HMV would re-enter the Irish market again with a shop on Dublin's Henry Street, in a unit previously occupied by the company during their first incarnation. The shop opened on 30 June 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.businesspost.ie/legacy/hmv-reopens-for-business-on-dublins-henry-st/ | title=HMV reopens for business on Dublin's Henry St }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://m.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dublin-news/music-fans-queue-from-8am-as-hmv-reopens-first-store-in-almost-a-decade/a673226385.html | title=Music fans queue from 8am as HMV reopens first store in almost a decade | date=30 June 2023 }}</ref>

On 21 July 2024, Phil Halliday, the managing director of HMV announced; that there was an increase of customers buying physical media formats of films and television shows commercially released on DVD and Blu-ray.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99wngrw4nxo.amp |title=HMV boss says more people buying DVDs and Blu-ray|work=BBC News |last=Race |first=Michael |date=21 July 2024 |access-date=25 July 2024 |archive-date=22 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722195945/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99wngrw4nxo.amp |url-status=live }}</ref>

==International operations==

=== Belgium (2023–present) ===
In November 2023, Sunrise Records announced that HMV would expand into Belgium.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-23 |title=[In the picture] HMV opens first store in Belgium |url=https://www.retaildetail.eu/news/leisure/in-the-picture-hmv-opens-first-store-in-belgium/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=RetailDetail EU |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2024, it was announced HMV would open its second Belgian location.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=The Brussels |title=Iconic British music store HMV opens second Belgian branch in Brussels |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/985947/iconic-british-music-store-hmv-opens-second-belgian-branch-in-brussels |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=www.brusselstimes.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Canada (1986–2017, 2024–present) ===
In 1986, [[EMI|EMI Music Canada]] purchased the Mister Sound chain.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} EMI then attempted to rebrand the sites as His Master's Voice shops, but were not granted the rights from [[RCA Records|RCA]] who own the rights to the "His Master's Voice" and Nipper trademarks in the U.S. and Canada.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} However, EMI were not prevented from using just the 'HMV' initials, which were sometimes initialised to "Hot Music Values" in radio and television commercials in the 1990s.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In 1991, EMI opened HMV Canada's flagship shop at 333 [[Yonge Street]] in Toronto.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} The flagship shop hosted in-store concerts from [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]], [[D'Angelo]], [[Green Day]], [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]], [[Ramones]], [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Backstreet Boys]], and [[NSYNC]]. A concert hosted by the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] had the Yonge and Edward Street intersection closed off.<ref name="tstar">{{cite web |date=14 April 2017 |title=HMV's landmark Yonge St. store signs off, leaving a wistful few feeling bereft – The Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/04/14/hmvs-landmark-yonge-st-store-signs-off-leaving-a-wistful-few-feeling-bereft.html |website=Toronto Star}}</ref><ref name="now">{{cite web |last=Berman |first=Stuart |date=13 April 2017 |title=Goodbye, HMV on Yonge Street |url=https://nowtoronto.com/api/content/50c79d9a-1ee4-11e7-813e-0aea2a882f79/ |website=NOW Magazine}}</ref> The Yonge Street shop was also notable for promoting local [[indie music]] scene by giving unsigned bands prominent shelf space on the ground floor, as well as hosting in-store concerts and events with Toronto bands.<ref name="now" />

The retailer also occupied a two-level, 20,000 square foot shop in [[West Edmonton Mall]] which included an event stage (known as the Phase IV Stage) in front of the shop. The Phase IV Stage often hosted musical performances or autograph signings by artists who were making tour stops in Edmonton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3277451/sunrise-records-set-to-take-over-hmvs-west-edmonton-mall-location/|title=Sunrise Records set to take over HMV's West Edmonton Mall location - Edmonton &#124; Globalnews.ca|website=Global News}}</ref>

In June 2010, HMV Canada launched purehmv, a customer rewards program that offered shop discounts and exclusive items across music, film, and gaming in exchange for points gained in-store.<ref name="cnw">{{cite web |date=14 June 2010 |title=hmv gets customers closer to the stuff they love with new rewards program |url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2010/14/c4248.html/ |access-date=30 November 2010 |publisher=newswire.ca}}</ref> Over 300,000 customers joined the program in its first four months.<ref name="paybusiness">{{cite web |date=22 November 2010 |title=More than 300,000 customers join HMV's customer loyalty program in first four months |url=http://www.paymentsbusiness.ca/News/Nov2210_hmv.htm/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231163921/http://www.paymentsbusiness.ca/News/Nov2210_hmv.htm |archive-date=31 December 2010 |access-date=30 November 2010 |publisher=paymentsbusiness.ca}}</ref>

In June 2011, HMV sold its Canadian operations for £2 million to [[Hilco Capital]], a British firm specialising in retail restructuring.<ref>{{cite news |author=Amanda Andrews |author2=Matthew Holehouse |date=27 June 2011 |title=HMV confirms sale of stores in Canada for £2m |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/8600295/HMV-confirms-sale-of-stores-in-Canada-for-2m.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London}}</ref>

In late 2011, HMV Canada announced closures of its [[Downtown Vancouver]] and [[Richmond Centre (mall)|Richmond Centre]] shops.<ref name="HMV plans to close Robson Street Store in January 2012 along with another location in the mall of Richmond_Centre">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120117184316/http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Music+retailer+close+stores+January/5656683/story.html Music retailer HMV to close stores in January<!-- Bot generated title -->]. ''The Vancouver Sun''.</ref>

By 2012, HMV had 113 shops in Canada, down from 121 when it was sold by HMV Group. However, Hilco Capital opened several new shops, including one in Peter Pond Mall in Fort McMurray.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV opens in Peter Pond mall &#124; Fort McMurray Today |url=http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2013/10/03/hmv-opens-in-peter-pond-mall |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811033807/http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2013/10/03/hmv-opens-in-peter-pond-mall |archive-date=11 August 2014 |access-date=26 July 2014}}</ref> In late 2012, Hilco Capital reported they were successful at restructuring HMV Canada, and that there were no plans to cease operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canadian HMV not impacted by British version's demise - Business - CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-hmv-not-impacted-by-british-version-s-demise-1.1336912 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511232329/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-hmv-not-impacted-by-british-version-s-demise-1.1336912 |archive-date=11 May 2015 |access-date=26 July 2014}}</ref> As part of its strategy, HMV Canada focused on growing back-catalogue music and movies not found at discount rivals, while also carrying higher-margin merchandise like gifts, collectibles, clothing and headphones, while removing video games and technology hardware from sale.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

By January 2017, the company had $39 million in debt, after running at a loss since 2014.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} Hilco Capital stated that financial difficulties, combined with decreasing sales, meant the current situation was not sustainable. On 27 January 2017, HUK 10 Ltd., the [[shell company]] owned by Hilco employee, business partner of Nick Williams, and owner of HMV UK, Paul McGowan sued HMV Canada in the Ontario Superior Court.<ref name=OSC>https://document-api-images-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/docs/acBXHBVuLpAXPkxFhzQ-fpzK7jwgim0mrZvEegJyoiA/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3FQWR4JGI%2F20181209%2Feu-west-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20181209T234120Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=FQoGZXIvYXdzEFYaDOHYY5Q8w08%2BvOjqdyK3A8%2BRxygZNhh4evHmgFD1PfX2dB7Q5kIbL3pXT8%2FneMq1xfzXif5rrkmd2cA1se4SYkdusarCZNtmwf9MAcq84IpeK0GwIQ1SNwWGbArERMXXLrIVHaKpnnQqoOgQuf60q3qpggi%2FrbJk8Mt3xwVb3PJVjmhttuxGES1MGP7vwpgeGtz2pF11Metj9AEDKkvSC%2FZHYM5N3eE4LiYQneFcU2JWWzLbE6tk5vH9voETPUw5JRvyu5kEq3n5rTIUVVguTNSbde%2B0bi7O%2Fr%2FqHll9GaMJLWxME6iW3ljNUwreIYP3sZTD%2F8pL2fJNcm%2Fvhf8CTR3jWGe19RdG8oD3nz2X8CH%2F06FK4YRfhdgG4WuIUOWp4472RxFSDICC4SFtAd2Zw8qaVTmM4E%2FwzkNBlTyABn781wZ9Q5QwqpuqHYyo9XVUZwmb1z%2F3re83PZygL5faszHp2E081XGS9Ot32Pnn%2Bq73U24s%2FlDIaSWYDJCxIlm%2BcWsQ5ixtEuBtUfJsTAsC9J9HaRlt7nVCFIGVDuq4z%2F3c6dn0DxAZxFs7Jh3BQJlndwaopwCplZHGfz8j97OIgJ7gXjiI7tEo4%2Fe14AU%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=6f8e1a8caef6f1c6e5bbf446fcb503f2d7b437673ee3a338fc978d2672d3cdb5 {{dead link|date=May 2019}}</ref> They were successful, and Hilco Capital announced plans to close all HMV Canada locations by 30 April 2017.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 February 2017 |title=HMV Canada to Close All 102 Stores by April |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-02-01/hmv-canada-to-close-all-102-stores-by-april/.111659 |access-date=5 February 2021 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> HMV Canada locations held clear-out sales of their remaining inventory.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 January 2017 |title=HMV in receivership, stores to close by Apr. 30 |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2017/01/27/hmv-in-receivership-stores-to-close-by-apr-30.html |access-date=28 January 2017 |website=Toronto Star}}</ref>  The flagship shop on [[Yonge Street]] in Toronto closed on 14 April 2017.<ref name="tstar" />

In February 2017, Ontario-based chain [[Sunrise Records (retailer)|Sunrise Records]] bought the leases of 70 of HMV Canada locations in an effort to convert into Sunrise Records locations, and invited 1,340 former HMV Canada employees to apply for 700 positions. HMV Canada's flagship location on Yonge Street in Toronto was one of the several locations that were not part of the deal, and remained vacant.<ref name="cp-sunrise">{{cite web |date=26 February 2017 |title=Sunrise Records to move into 70 closing HMV locations |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/02/26/sunrise-records-to-move-into-70-closing-hmv-locations.html |access-date=26 February 2017 |website=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sunrise Records takes over 70 HMV locations in malls {{!}} CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/hmv-sunrise-records-takeover-malls-1.3998420}}</ref> Its head office was located in [[Etobicoke]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=pssadm |date=2017-01-31 |title=HMV Canada's Statement On Closing All 102 Stores |url=https://www.thatericalper.com/2017/01/30/hmv-canadas-statement-on-closing-all-102-stores/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=That Eric Alper |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 5 February 2019, Sunrise Records subsequently announced its intent to buy HMV UK out of administration from Hilco Capital for an undisclosed amount, with the possibility of HMV Canada's revival being considered.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Pete |date=5 February 2019 |title=Canada's Sunrise Records swoops in to buy British music store chain HMV out of bankruptcy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sunrise-records-hmv-1.5006110 |access-date=5 February 2019}}</ref>

In February 2024, [[Toys "R" Us Canada]] (also owned by Sunrise Records owner [[Doug Putman]]) announced that it would begin to introduce HMV-branded [[store-within-a-store]] departments at its locations, carrying music, home video, and various pop-culture collectibles. The retailer also returned to online trading.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-01 |title=HMV making comeback through Toys 'R' Us locations |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/hmv-making-comeback-through-toys-r-us-locations-1.6751315 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref>

=== Ireland (1986–2013, 2013–2016, 2023–present) ===
HMV established its first shop in Ireland in 1986 following the retailer's expansion to Canada. The first shop to open was on Grafton Street which became very popular for numerous big name Irish acts performing live in the shop. The retailer expanded in Dublin with a second shop on Henry Street and that followed with expansion into [[Cork (city)|Cork]] in the late 1980s before adding a shop in [[Limerick City]] in the 1990s. The retailer expanded with numerous shops in the Greater Dublin region and nationwide again into [[Galway]] and [[Newbridge, County Galway|Newbridge]] in the early to mid 2000s.

On 5 February 2011 HMV Ireland announced that its profits had fallen by almost 90% to €465,000, compared to €4.1 million the previous year.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lynch |first=Suzanne |date=5 February 2011 |title=Music giant HMV Ireland saw a 90% fall in profits last year |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0205/1224289073280.html |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

On 16 January 2013, HMV Ireland declared [[receivership]] which required the company under Irish law to close all its shops immediately.<ref name="HMV Ireland goes into receivership">{{Cite news |date=16 January 2013 |title=HMV Ireland goes into receivership |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/hmv-ireland-goes-into-receivership-16262150.html |work=The Belfast Telegraph}}</ref>

In April 2013, Hilco also stated that it hoped to reopen a HMV shop in Ireland following the closure of all shops in the country.<ref name="Hilco 2">{{Cite press release |title=Hilco completes acquisition of HMV |date=5 April 2013 |publisher=Hilco UK |url=http://www.hilcouk.com/hilco-completes-acquisition-of-hmv/ |access-date=5 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408005403/http://www.hilcouk.com/hilco-completes-acquisition-of-hmv/ |archive-date=8 April 2013}}</ref> Later, on 9 June 2013, it was confirmed that [[Hilco Capital]] Ireland had purchased HMV Ireland, and would reopen five shops within six weeks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burke |first=Roisin |date=9 June 2013 |title=HMV stores set to re-open with €4m investment and 100 jobs |url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/hmv-stores-set-to-reopen-with-4m-investment-and-100-jobs-29330834.html |access-date=2 September 2013 |work=The Irish Independent}}</ref>

In January 2016, HMV Ireland confirmed the closure of its Galway City shop, and its shop on Dublin's Grafton Street, with both to close by the end of that month.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 January 2016 |title=HMV and XtraVision to close Galway stores by end of the month |url=http://galwaybayfm.ie/hmv-and-xtravision-to-close-galway-stores-by-end-of-the-month |accessdate=6 August 2016 |website=Galway Bay FM}}</ref>  This followed the closure of many Xtravision and HMV Xtravision branded outlets at the end of December 2015/early January. In late January 2016, the remainder of Xtravision was liquidated.

In July 2016, Hilco announced it would be closing its five remaining Irish shops, in order to refocus HMV in Ireland as a new digital service (HMV Digital) where customers can stream, rent or purchase music and films online. The new HMV digital service was to launch in Ireland before rolling out into the UK and Canada.<ref>{{cite news |title=Remaining Irish HMV stores to shut within months as retailer takes on Netflix giant |url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/remaining-irish-hmv-stores-to-shut-within-months-as-retailer-takes-on-netflix-giant-34869715.html |accessdate=6 August 2016 |newspaper=Irish Independent}}</ref> However, HMV failed to successfully launch its new digital service in Ireland. All shops closed between 29 and 30 August 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pakinkis |first=Tom |date=10 July 2016 |title=Remaining Irish HMV stores to shut within months as retailer takes on Netflix giant |url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/remaining-irish-hmv-stores-to-shut-within-months-as-retailer-takes-on-netflix-giant-34869715.html |access-date=23 March 2015 |work=Irish Independent}}</ref>

In June 2023, it was announced that HMV would return to Ireland, with a shop in Dublin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-28 |title=HMV opens first store in Dublin in a decade |url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/hmv-opens-first-store-in-dublin-in-a-decade-1495247.html |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=BreakingNews.ie |language=en}}</ref> In May 2025, a shop opened in Limerick Crescent Shopping Centre.[https://crescentshoppingcentre.ie/hmv-returns-to-limerick-on-16-may-2025/ 124]

=== Japan (1990–present) ===
In 1990, EMI established HMV Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMV Japan KK - VGMdb |url=https://vgmdb.net/org/2036 |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=vgmdb.net |language=en}}</ref> Since [[JVC Kenwood Holdings]] (through its [[JVC]] and [[Victor Entertainment]] subsidiaries) controls the "His Master's Voice" trademark in Japan following a break-up from [[RCA Records]], HMV Japan uses a stylised gramophone of its own design as its trademark. As with the former U.S. and Canadian operations, HMV Japan's use of the initials "HMV" has never been challenged.

In July 2007, HMV Japan, which operated 62 shops at the time, was sold to DSM Investment Catorce. The brand, shops and website would continue to trade as HMV, but would no longer be owned by HMV Group.<ref>{{cite news |date=31 July 2007 |title=HMV snaps up Fopp name and stores |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6923511.stm |access-date=31 July 2007 |work=Japan sale |publisher=BBC News |quote=Separately, HMV said that the sale of the Japan business to DSM Investment Catorce, would allow it to focus on countries where it was a market leader. Opening in Tokyo's Shibuya district in 1990, HMV Japan now has 62 shops, with about 40 million visitors a year.}}</ref>

On 28 October 2010 the Japanese [[convenience store|convenience shop]] giant [[Lawson (store)|Lawson]] acquired all shares of HMV Japan from Daiwa Securities SMBCPI for ¥&nbsp;1.8 billion. KK HMV Japan became a part of Lawson, and was renamed KK Lawson HMV Entertainment (株式会社 ローソンHMVエンタテイメント) on 1 December in the same year. Terms of the deal were published on official websites.<ref>[http://www.lawson.co.jp/company/news/025212/ HMVジャパンの完全子会社に関する株式譲渡契約を締結] (in Japanese)</ref>

As well as "HMV & Books" at some locations, Lawson Entertainment also uses "HMV Record Shop" and "HMV Museum". The tagline for HMV Japan is "the music & movie master".<ref>{{Cite web |title=株式会社 ローソンエンタテインメント |url=https://www.ent.lawson.co.jp |access-date=2025-03-08}}</ref>

== Defunct international operations ==
=== Australia (1989–2010) ===
In 1989, HMV established its first Australian shop in the [[Sydney]] suburb of [[Parramatta]], closely followed by a second in [[Chatswood, New South Wales|Chatswood]] in the same year.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} In 1990, HMV opened its [[flagship]] shop in the [[Sydney central business district]].{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} The 1,207-square-metre superstore in [[Pitt Street Mall]] was the largest music shop in the Southern Hemisphere and sold more CDs than any other shop in the country.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} It was also awarded the [[ARIA Charts]] Store of the Year on three occasions.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} By 1998, a further 27 shops were opened in key retail centres on the eastern seaboard of Australia, including other large units at [[Melbourne]]'s [[Bourke Street|Bourke Street Mall]] and [[Brisbane]]'s 585-square-meter [[Queen Street Mall]] shop.<ref>{{cite web |title=Superbrands: HMV Australia |url=http://superbrands.com.au/index.php/volumes/volume-2/79-volumes/volume-2/254-hmv-vol-2 |access-date=21 June 2012 |publisher=Superbrands.com}}</ref>

In March 2000, HMV made local headlines when its larger rival, [[Sanity (music store)|Sanity]], signed a five-year deal with [[Festival Mushroom Records]] for a three-year online exclusivity window on all tracks downloaded from that label at Sanity's website.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Sanity's competitors and other online services were meant to be blocked from Festival Mushroom's catalogue for that period unless Sanity agreed to deal with them. [[Chaos.com]] and [[Leading Edge Group|Leading Edge Music]] both made public threats to boycott Festival Mushroom's content, but HMV Australia (whose website did not offer downloading) followed through, removing all CDs from their Australian shops, adding they would do the same overseas. By the next week, Festival Mushroom backed down, stating Sanity would simply be the wholesaler of their digital downloads for the next three years, requiring them to make all products available to other retailers at the time of release.<ref>{{cite web |title=News Corp Unit, Sainty.com Plan Online Deal |url=http://www.telecompaper.com/news/news-corp-unit-sanitycom-plan-online-deal |access-date=21 June 2012 |publisher=Telecompaper}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Adcock |first=Bronwyn |date=9 March 2000 |title=ABC Radio PM: HMV boycotts the Festival Mushroom Group |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s108985.htm |access-date=21 June 2012 |work=[[PM (Australian radio program)|PM]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Donovan |first=Patrick |date=17 March 2000 |title=New Deal Sounds Better To Retailers |url=http://www.downloadsongs.com.au/download-songs-articles/2000/3/17/new-deal-sounds-better-to-retailers/ |access-date=21 June 2012 |work=[[The Age]]}}</ref>

In October 2005, Sanity's owner, Brazin Limited acquired the Australian operations of HMV for A$4 million (£1.7 million). The HMV Group's agreement with Brazin was to phase out the HMV brand in Australia by 2010. Immediately after this acquisition of HMV's 32 outlets, this put Brazin at its peak with its 74 [[Virgin Megastore]] and Virgin At Myer shops, in addition to Sanity's 215, and [[EzyDVD]]'s 63 outlets around the country (not counting non-entertainment retail chains within Brazin, such as [[Bras N Things]]) and was by far Australia's largest entertainment retailer with close to 43% of the music retail market. However, most HMV shops in Australia had very high overhead costs due to their large footprints and expensive locations, thus most were gradually closed upon the end of rental leases. The remaining shops were re-branded to Sanity over the next five years.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 September 2005 |title=Brazin to buy HMV music stores for $4m |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Brazin-to-buy-HMV-music-stores-for-4m/2005/09/28/1127804540782.html |access-date=21 June 2012 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Eliezer |first=Christie |date=28 September 2005 |title=HMV Sells Australian Stores To Brazin |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/others/hmv-sells-australian-stores-to-brazin-1001217713.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219181810/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/others/hmv-sells-australian-stores-to-brazin-1001217713.story |archive-date=19 February 2013 |access-date=23 January 2013 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The [[horizontal merger]] was approved by the [[Australian Competition & Consumer Commission]] the same month, leaving Brazin to merge marketing and general operations within the one entertainment division.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Also in October, Brazin launched its Pulse [[Loyalty program|loyalty card]] after a year of testing in the market. It worked by giving the customer one point for every dollar spent across Brazin's shop network, receiving a $5 discount voucher or other offers once 100 points were reached.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 October 2005 |title=Visible Results Solution, "Australian Retail's Most Innovative And Dynamic Customer Loyalty Program" Says Brazin Limited CEO |url=http://www.visibleresults.com/about/articles_pr/pr_article_028.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520072619/http://www.visibleresults.com/about/articles_pr/pr_article_028.htm |archive-date=20 May 2013 |access-date=2 September 2013 |publisher=Visible Results}}</ref>

By December 2006, HMV had shrunk to 22 outlets from its peak of 32 the year before.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Eliezer |first=Christie |date=11 December 2006 |title=Brazin Data Returns To Aus Charts |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/others/brazin-data-returns-to-aus-charts-1003495396.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115033204/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/others/brazin-data-returns-to-aus-charts-1003495396.story |archive-date=15 January 2013 |access-date=23 January 2013 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

At the end of August 2007, HMV's Australian flagship shop in Pitt Street Mall was closed, when the [[MidCity|Mid City Centre]] shopping centre it was located in was closed for renovation, and the large Bourke Street Mall shop closed on 19 February 2008.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} By mid-2010, the last HMV shop was closed in Brisbane by Sanity, and the last re-branded HMV shop trading as Sanity closed at [[Indooroopilly Shopping Centre]] in December 2012.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} 

Hilco Capital owns the HMV brand in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brands |first=HMV |date=6 June 2025 |title=528598 |url=https://branddb.wipo.int/en/brand/AU501990000528598 |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2025 |website=World Intellectual Property Office}}</ref>

=== France (1990s) ===
In the 1990s, HMV attempted to launch in France, but faced severe competition from [[Fnac]] and [[Virgin Megastores]], as well as [[Hypermarket|hypermarkets]]. The few trial French shops only lasted around six months.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-01-09 |title=Virgin France files for bankruptcy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20965566 |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Hilco Capital owns the HMV brand in France.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Brands |first=Mermaid |date=6 June 2025 |title=003051489 |url=https://branddb.wipo.int/en/brand/EM500000003051489 |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2025 |website=World Intellectual Property Office}}</ref>

=== Germany (1990s–2000s) ===
As of April 1998, HMV traded in Germany as HMV Tonträger GmbH, with the business later closed in the 2000s.<ref name=":1" /> Hilco Capital owns the HMV brand in Germany.<ref name=":3" />

=== Hong Kong and Singapore (1990s–2010s) ===
[[File:HKElementsHMV_20071026.jpg|thumb|HMV shop in the [[Elements, Hong Kong|Elements]], Kowloon, Hong Kong, in 2007.]]
In 1994, HMV opened its first shop in Hong Kong at Windsor House, 311 [[Gloucester Road, Hong Kong|Gloucester Road]]. Following this, HMV expanded into new shopping malls across the region. The [[Tsim Sha Tsui]] flagship shop, located at the corner of Peking Road and Hankow Road, was the largest record shop in the territory.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 January 2013 |title=音樂專業程度大不如前; HMV申請破產 4350員工恐失業 |url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20130116/18136023 |access-date=17 January 2013 |newspaper=Apple Daily |publisher=Next Media |location=Hong Kong |language=zh}}</ref>

In Singapore, HMV was the second international music shop established after [[Tower Records]], which eventually closed. HMV operated a shop at Marina Square, and previously had locations at 313@Somerset (which replaced a former shop at The Heeren) and the CityLink underground mall. HMV's pricing was generally higher than independent shops and local chains like Gramophone and That CD Shop, but it was the only retailer in Singapore to sell a variety of products, including games, T-shirts, books, and audio gear, alongside music and video.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

In the 2000s, HMV Hong Kong partnered with Commercial Radio Hong Kong, renaming one of their channels HMV864 and broadcasting it in all HMV shops in the city. HMV Hong Kong was known for higher prices compared to independent record shops, particularly on non-promotional items. The Hong Kong shops were the second globally, after the UK, to introduce in-store digital kiosks, and the first in Asia. Initially, HMV Hong Kong used the same stylized gramophone logo as HMV Japan but later switched to the Nipper the Dog logo used by HMV UK, minus the gramophone.

On 28 February 2013, Deloitte announced that Hong Kong-based private equity firm AID Partners Capital Holdings had acquired HMV's businesses in Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as the rights to the HMV brand in China, Singapore and Taiwan.<ref name="Asia2">{{cite news |date=28 February 2013 |title=HMV administrators sell Asia shops |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21615806 |access-date=26 February 2013 |newspaper=BBC News Online}}</ref> HMV's 313@Somerset shop in Singapore closed in November 2013, and the CityLink shop closed earlier.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zaccheus |first=Hoe Pei Shan Melody |date=2013-09-29 |title=HMV to close outlet in Somerset, shift business to Marina Square store |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hmv-to-close-outlet-in-somerset-shift-business-to-marina-square-store |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref>

In September 2015, HMV closed its last Singapore shop.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Luis |first1=Ernest |last2=Lim |first2=Jessica |date=30 September 2015 |title=HMV Singapore closes last outlet: Timeline of HMV's history |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/hmv-singapore-closes-last-outlet-timeline-of-hmvs-history |newspaper=The Straits Times}}</ref>

By 21 March 2016, China 3D Digital Entertainment Limited acquired HMV Hong Kong operations from AID Partners Capital Limited, later renamed to HMV Digital China Group Limited.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

In December 2018, the Hong Kong operations, which included four shops and an HMV-themed restaurant, were closed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2018 |title=Shoppers turned away as HMV winds up 25-year-old Hong Kong retail chain |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/2178457/shoppers-turned-away-hmv-winds-25-year-old-hong |access-date=5 August 2019 |website=South China Morning Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2018 |title=HMV to close all Hong Kong physical retail stores |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hmv-to-close-all-hong-kong-physical-retail-stores/ |website=Music Business Worldwide}}</ref>

As of May 2023, a company called HMV Brand Pte. Ltd. retains ownership of the defunct "HMV" and "His Master's Voice" brand across Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as various other Asian countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The fight for Nipper: takeaways from HMV's trademark battle in Singapore |url=https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/the-fight-nipper-takeaways-hmvs-trademark-battle-in-singapore |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=www.worldtrademarkreview.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Qatar (2015–2022) ===
In July 2015, it was announced that HMV had struck a deal with the Qatar-based company, Al Mana Lifestyle, for fifteen shops across Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. There were also plans for Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hillyard |first=Kim |date=2015-07-13 |title=HMV to open 15 stores in the Middle East |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nme-470-1216640 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> However, none of these plans came to fruition, and only one HMV shop in Qatar's Al Mirqab mall was opened, which later closed in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-12 |title=HMV expands into the Middle East |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hmv-expands-into-the-middle-east/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref> The Al Mana Lifestyle Trading company retain the rights to the HMV brand across Qatar and Oman, whereas the rights to HMV in other Middle East regions, such as the United Arab Emirates, is owned by Palm Green Capital Limited.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palm Green Capital Limited HMV Retail Limited v GEECOM (Full Decision _Transfer), [2013] DRS 13248 {{!}} Nominet UK Dispute Resolution Service, Judgment, Law, casemine.com |url=https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/5a938ce660d03e601f9721b4 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.casemine.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== United States (1990s–2004) ===
In the 1990s, the chain expanded into the United States, opening several shops along the East Coast, including a prominent flagship location in Manhattan.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=House |first=Companies |date=25 April 1998 |title=HMV Media Group plc Report and Accounts |url=https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/document-api-images-live.ch.gov.uk/docs/jerlPqBlkEO6Au3aJfPw2UCIFrRXK_b_XUgDxxJbwr4/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3KXY3MYJR%2F20240909%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240909T115336Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEDAaCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJGMEQCIG8oj9nfx3B3bHdHgc8fo%2FPycIGdtPkueEuld1yl9fH0AiBatgq%2BJiPxoma%2FzX0NEg5jwYP5dLQELIBHMD6EIANDvCq6BQhZEAUaDDQ0OTIyOTAzMjgyMiIMFNVj63Ty9BMdQf4MKpcFSoUCQyFB4dD5q%2BdYmmJkJbWG7DgcogPdtZCBXBjmn8uMEoTAfLOFcCGn76l7cLpEU%2FbcM2z2FO5iyq6jW37fzvVuVjfgMzuMgVr1OTRdGm5hcxbxEKkHiiwztTquK8Qj5lw5QhwqbjOepr6Aj6esiGSn%2FKS3u%2BsG5eSwUxuQtm7kKlP%2BsFimzKjjcBi5N022lnYIGrJFZDGJjch%2FVrTS7RP%2FCRHIq%2FM%2Fo%2B37UGI5%2B3N80uQx9snWZrhVWciqqHwnQYI4I9Qe7Gb9GSRUW4He4lo%2FJTMQVOZFhaMHHcbtCVCfAAE5WVqAP1jy%2FxVJmt9WMNBxlyyQsb29c0MKXsfqVrUgO4l%2F6JULsEntTu8Tfs7%2BxSXdFDDd8db08W7j8cQag%2BWtS5rLfb3BAlguR04QSlJdV6XVPspH29WJGxiyUSSNzhXA73u015njINkcScLSqTIHb3HptVT1b5UI0Uc6EJIPFLGNYVSXkZv1oFvdfNunMV5273zkyvCNwMHHs9utIg3G4%2FU5gPSL8uMeL0pq0ONlLJ1CahfMoTpLKoJYj7VgmKNblgTbcRuLGKkck%2BbNr2I3A59dcane811PihbwolvqSD%2Fr3vSHLnBTdZxQuftoJ4ZcAfuBsbyYjVaTT3Y61vbnZJAa8X%2BwmG9wkW2TaQVmd3G4IPRCYlWP24jaFwqJ9HU8hHL1UkKmAlNG7nxfZkjo%2BSzxhfhbuUR71XLZwxllU5yC%2BMvwDjkVtOE9O%2Fj4%2Bh7odrby7KLNYg4Ke9RAWniCC8bEaFaR4dkrj5xtcWdmJbzf2h%2FNmHYATFUuVQpKodBtYTbni4vQNw3tBBzF9W0gqJyXsAc47%2BEqiX5E3pA6bUa0ES5Y7Z1WXAVuQcx0YNxLdkpcMMLW%2BrYGOrIBIB4qGOJ9FYdR6jLhR0i%2Fno2ajst6sAyaOgavYLk91Eg6UlqJ24Lkeav3AFdK3I9th8JedxsOLo%2BOUNqcfVCZoHFiaFvvKnfwVjZDLgaVO4EW9y3rYXxN%2BnFKSVDFdF%2BjYwGqOZVfr0J4SmfxbL8INtRc9uRE8fx44EjQtaA7TSj73ufoKWMAhviqFOEIZ6E8jtanEEGLSJ4v4scjVrjcQ%2BiJ3o73V6aZrdWAGObJbW861w%3D%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D"companies_house_document.pdf"&X-Amz-Signature=d3b726a4b3a62ecc59e490055a2c60d0e80bec83c74cdb668ed327ab80073b83 |access-date=9 September 2024 |website=Companies House}}</ref> Similar to Canada, EMI in the U.S. did not have rights to use "His Master's Voice" or the Nipper dog mascot; as these trademarks were owned by [[RCA (trademark)|RCA]]. Though, HMV in the U.S. was not prevented from using just the "HMV" initials by themselves.<ref>{{Cite web |last=House |first=Companies |date=24 April 1999 |title=HMV Media Group plc Report and Accounts |url=https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/document-api-images-live.ch.gov.uk/docs/z4mfKxpCTG4aEmV4YD7KrhIhFCQ--wiqfWMZTXvYvZc/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3KXY3MYJR%2F20240909%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240909T115945Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEDAaCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJGMEQCIG8oj9nfx3B3bHdHgc8fo%2FPycIGdtPkueEuld1yl9fH0AiBatgq%2BJiPxoma%2FzX0NEg5jwYP5dLQELIBHMD6EIANDvCq6BQhZEAUaDDQ0OTIyOTAzMjgyMiIMFNVj63Ty9BMdQf4MKpcFSoUCQyFB4dD5q%2BdYmmJkJbWG7DgcogPdtZCBXBjmn8uMEoTAfLOFcCGn76l7cLpEU%2FbcM2z2FO5iyq6jW37fzvVuVjfgMzuMgVr1OTRdGm5hcxbxEKkHiiwztTquK8Qj5lw5QhwqbjOepr6Aj6esiGSn%2FKS3u%2BsG5eSwUxuQtm7kKlP%2BsFimzKjjcBi5N022lnYIGrJFZDGJjch%2FVrTS7RP%2FCRHIq%2FM%2Fo%2B37UGI5%2B3N80uQx9snWZrhVWciqqHwnQYI4I9Qe7Gb9GSRUW4He4lo%2FJTMQVOZFhaMHHcbtCVCfAAE5WVqAP1jy%2FxVJmt9WMNBxlyyQsb29c0MKXsfqVrUgO4l%2F6JULsEntTu8Tfs7%2BxSXdFDDd8db08W7j8cQag%2BWtS5rLfb3BAlguR04QSlJdV6XVPspH29WJGxiyUSSNzhXA73u015njINkcScLSqTIHb3HptVT1b5UI0Uc6EJIPFLGNYVSXkZv1oFvdfNunMV5273zkyvCNwMHHs9utIg3G4%2FU5gPSL8uMeL0pq0ONlLJ1CahfMoTpLKoJYj7VgmKNblgTbcRuLGKkck%2BbNr2I3A59dcane811PihbwolvqSD%2Fr3vSHLnBTdZxQuftoJ4ZcAfuBsbyYjVaTT3Y61vbnZJAa8X%2BwmG9wkW2TaQVmd3G4IPRCYlWP24jaFwqJ9HU8hHL1UkKmAlNG7nxfZkjo%2BSzxhfhbuUR71XLZwxllU5yC%2BMvwDjkVtOE9O%2Fj4%2Bh7odrby7KLNYg4Ke9RAWniCC8bEaFaR4dkrj5xtcWdmJbzf2h%2FNmHYATFUuVQpKodBtYTbni4vQNw3tBBzF9W0gqJyXsAc47%2BEqiX5E3pA6bUa0ES5Y7Z1WXAVuQcx0YNxLdkpcMMLW%2BrYGOrIBIB4qGOJ9FYdR6jLhR0i%2Fno2ajst6sAyaOgavYLk91Eg6UlqJ24Lkeav3AFdK3I9th8JedxsOLo%2BOUNqcfVCZoHFiaFvvKnfwVjZDLgaVO4EW9y3rYXxN%2BnFKSVDFdF%2BjYwGqOZVfr0J4SmfxbL8INtRc9uRE8fx44EjQtaA7TSj73ufoKWMAhviqFOEIZ6E8jtanEEGLSJ4v4scjVrjcQ%2BiJ3o73V6aZrdWAGObJbW861w%3D%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D"companies_house_document.pdf"&X-Amz-Signature=535874c0b24131610fc804e66ab86bd21bf52a60e12420a7dee5c50033b319a6 |access-date=9 September 2024 |website=Companies House}}</ref>

HMV in the U.S. faced significant competition from rivals such as [[Tower Records]], [[FYE (retailer)|FYE]] and [[Virgin Megastores]]. The final shop in the United States, having lost £500,000 in 2003 and £1 million in 2004, closed on 3 November 2004.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 January 2005 |title=Operating Review |url=http://www.hmvgroup.com/files/923/HMV_Interim_2004.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102110328/http://www.hmvgroup.com/files/923/HMV_Interim_2004.pdf |archive-date=2 November 2006 |access-date=30 December 2006 |work=Interim Report 2004 |publisher=HMV Group |pages=[http://www.hmvgroup.com/files/923/HMV_Interim_2004.pdf#page=6 pp. 3–4] |quote=...HMV USA, where the last store of which closed on 3 November 2004."; "...a £1.0m loss last year and £0.8m of losses made in HMV USA in the prior year...}}</ref>

From November 2004, HMV Canada maintained the defunct HMV trademark in the United States until it expired in November 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trademark Status & Document Retrieval |url=https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=73771538&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=tsdr.uspto.gov}}</ref> 

In April 2021, "HMV" was registered in the United States by Victor Musical Industries Inc. for sound equipment retailing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trademark Status & Document Retrieval |url=https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=90679293&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=tsdr.uspto.gov}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[HMV's Poll of Polls]]

==References==
{{notelist}}{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Official website|http://www.hmv.com/}}

{{Music industry}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hmv}}
[[Category:1921 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Retail companies based in London]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1921]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1921]]
[[Category:2019 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct retail companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Music retailers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Retail companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video game retailers in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Music retailers of Canada]]