quick facts

HMV Group

Formed in 1998 to acquire HMV and Dillon’s from EMI and Waterstone’s from WH Smith.
Following a period under private equity (Advent) / EMI ownership, the Group’s IPO on the London Stock Exchange took place in May 2002.
Acquired Ottakar’s plc in 2006, whose UK bookshops were rebranded Waterstone’s.
Acquired MAMA Group plc in 2010, whose live music venues, festivals and artist management division operates as the HMV Live division of the Group.
Disposal of Waterstone’s in June 2011, focusing the Group on entertainment retailing and live.
Key people: Simon Fox, CEO (since September 2006); Chairman, Philip Rowley (since March 2011).

HMV stands for His Master’s Voice, the name of British artist Francis Barraud’s 1899 painting of a dog (‘Nipper’) and gramophone, which have featured as part of HMV’s trademark since 1900.
First HMV store at 363 Oxford Street, London opened on 20 July 1921.
Over 200 HMV stores, predominantly in the UK & Ireland
Retailing product categories include visual (DVD and Blu-ray), music, games, portable digital technology.
The Purehmv card enables customers to access ‘rewards that money can’t buy’, which have included walk-on parts in Hollywood movies, VIP tickets to live entertainment events, visits to leading games studios and signed merchandise.
HMV Live venues, include HMV Hammersmith Apollo, HMV Forum, Relentless Garage (all London) HMV Institute (Birmingham), HMV Picture House (Edinburgh); music festivals include Lovebox, Global Gathering, Godskitchen, Great Escape, Escape into the Park and High Voltage.
Employees: Approx 6,500.