HMV possibly closing in UK, could cost 2,200 jobs

The end of an era, first Tower Records, now HMV may signal the death of the high street record store.

 

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/hmv-administration-closing-down-jobs-15603486

HMV closed all 100+ locations in Canada almost 2 years ago. I figured they would have already started closing the rest worldwide last year!

Been none round this way for years, how many stores are actually still open?

 

Feel sorry for anyone who loses their job though

i thought it shut down about 3 years ago?

Yeah I'm pretty jealous Europe still had commercial record store chains all this time, had no idea. I've seen images of Tower Records in Japan still though.

 

My hope is that one day, the Towers, Circles, Sam Goodys, Virgin Megastores will make a comeback. It would probably in an entirely new form, but would still be very cool. I know many people shun non-mom & pop record stores, but I think this is misguided for anyone who cares about the music economy as a whole, as they still do more good for the indie / underground artist & labels than not.

Edited December 28, 2018 by Lane Visitor

It makes me smile to still see album adverts on giant posters in the tube. You almost forget there used to be a vibrant music industry of physical goods.

Shit, I've just pre-orded Venom 4k Hmv steel book exclusive!

  On 12/28/2018 at 9:51 PM, Aural Unrest said:

Shit, I've just pre-orded Venom 4k Hmv steel book exclusive!

 

You should be fine with anything ordered currently. They are advising people to go in and spend vouchers though.

Phew, thanks ☺

Use to love going to the big London HMV in the 90's, it was like walking into a mental Aladdin's Cave!  Yeah do a Bruce Lee impression when I walked through the door! I always preferred HMV to the smaller more independent shops as the categories were distinct Rock, Metal, Dance and Pop. Simples. And everything was then under A - Z. Simples. And you had plenty of fucking room. And nobody breathing down my neck. 

 

If you told me that one day would be over I'd thought you'd be crazy. But I don't think I'd swap it for my Soundcloud, Spotify, Youtube or Aphex Bleep Store etc . No way, Jose!

 

HMV was a great place. 

  On 12/28/2018 at 9:51 PM, Aural Unrest said:

Shit, I've just pre-orded Venom 4k Hmv steel book exclusive!

 

lol

  On 12/29/2018 at 2:01 PM, beerwolf said:

Use to love going to the big London HMV in the 90's, it was like walking into a mental Aladdin's Cave! Yeah do a Bruce Lee impression when I walked through the door! I always preferred HMV to the smaller more independent shops as the categories were distinct Rock, Metal, Dance and Pop. Simples. And everything was then under A - Z. Simples. And you had plenty of fucking room. And nobody breathing down my neck.

 

If you told me that one day would be over I'd thought you'd be crazy. But I don't think I'd swap it for my Soundcloud, Spotify, Youtube or Aphex Bleep Store etc . No way, Jose!

 

HMV was a great place.

Yes! This is exactly how I felt going into those places. A lot of it was the pre-internet nostalgia for me too of course, discovering things like releases by your favorite artists you didn't know existed. Or the the odd bootleg, import or obscure maxi single. Or those listening stations with headphones where you got to sample new or chosen releases. The thrill, the thrill!

 

I'd argue a lot of the excitement of those elements transcend nostalgia or adolescent discovery. I still believe people get more joy out of physically walking into a store and discovering physical releases, sifting through, seeing other people, physically searching/shopping. I too, still wouldn't compare the limited physical only stores of the 90s vs endless options online, but there's something to be said about that magic. Were so damn spoiled with the ability to hear every track on a release in hq in a split second to be alble to quickly comfirm whether it fits our flavor/mood of the moment. I love the feeling of not knowing what the rest of the tracks besides the single sound like (or any for that matter), until unwrapping and playing in your car, feeling and discovering the music you just purchased in an atmosphere rather than via your mobile device/laptop.

Edited December 29, 2018 by Lane Visitor

I used to love HMV's flagship store on Oxford Street, it stocked a bunch of surprisingly obscure stuff. Also was in there once looking at DVDs and realised that Chris Morris was standing a few feet away from me.

 

The remaining store by Bond Street station is nowhere near as good. Writing's been on the wall for a while now.

  On 1/4/2019 at 2:28 PM, Rotwang said:

I used to love HMV's flagship store on Oxford Street, it stocked a bunch of surprisingly obscure stuff

Yeah I remember the last weekend it being open there were loads of unsorted cardboard boxes on the floor in the basement full of vinyl for 50p each - Wish I bought more but grabbed anything with a white label, most memorable being:

 

I once saw a fellow watmm'er in, maybe Tower Records?, at Piccadilly Circus, but he was a massive twat on here so I didn't say hello. Crazy days. Haven't been in an HMV in awhile but Fopp is great, would be a shame to lose it.

Unfortunately moved to London after Tower Records had turned into Virgin Megastores/Zavvi - was it good ?

I forgot that Fopp were part of the same group.

They always have interesting books, label samplers and different stuff than HMV.