HMV
HMV is a British entertainment retailer whose name comes from the phrase "His Master's Voice".
HMV is a British entertainment retailer whose name comes from the phrase 'His Master's Voice'. The brand began in 1921 with a flagship store on Oxford Street in London.
What it is
The HMV name is short for 'His Master's Voice', a trademark featuring a dog named Nipper listening to a gramophone. The brand originated with the Gramophone Company and was used both for record retail and as a record label.
History
HMV opened its first dedicated store at 363 Oxford Street in London on 20 July 1921. It became a major high-street retailer of music, films, and books. The chain faced severe pressure from digital media and online retail, leading to administration in January 2013. It later returned under new ownership.
Canadian connection
In 2019, Canadian entrepreneur Doug Putman bought HMV's UK business through his Sunrise Records group. This gave the brand a Canadian ownership link, as Putman also operates Sunrise Records in Canada.
In short
- HMV stands for 'His Master's Voice', a famous trademark with a dog and gramophone.
- The first HMV store opened in London in 1921.
- HMV was both a record label and a retail chain.
- After administration in 2013, HMV was acquired by Canadian entrepreneur Doug Putman in 2019.
HMV has a Canadian connection through Doug Putman, the Canadian entrepreneur who bought HMV's UK business in 2019 through his Sunrise Records group.[15]
Quick questions
What does HMV stand for?
When was HMV founded?
Is HMV still operating?
Sources
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46700080Supports: Origin of the HMV brand, 1921 opening, and connection to the Gramophone Company and the His Master's Voice trademark.
- Marketing Week — https://www.marketingweek.com/hmv-brand-timeline/Supports: HMV brand timeline and opening of the first dedicated store in 1921.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/business-21028024Supports: HMV as a high-street music and DVD retailer and the first store in Oxford Street.
- Museum of Music Culture — https://mus-col.com/en/events/39066/Supports: Historical background of the His Master's Voice label and its relationship to the Gramophone Company and EMI.
- Sky News — https://news.sky.com/story/hmv-collapse-history-of-a-high-street-icon-10457804Supports: Overview of HMV's history, administration in 2013, and retail significance.
- The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jan/15/hmv-in-administration-key-factsSupports: Administration in 2013, Oxford Street flagship store, and the His Master's Voice logo.
- Music Business Worldwide — https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/companies/hmv/Supports: Current ownership and acquisition by Doug Putman's Sunrise Records group.