The new-look HMV has chosen Birmingham as the location for its new superstore, The HMV Vault.

 

The music and entertainment chain, rescued from administration by Sunrise Records owner Doug Putman earlier this year, will open what it says is Europe’s largest entertainment store at Dale End, close to Birmingham city centre, in mid-October.

 

The move will buck the trend in recent years for smaller, more specialist record shops. The store does not have a London flagship store to replace its legendary former Oxford Street location, which was not taken on as part of the Sunrise deal. A HMV spokesman told Music Week there are "currently no plans" for a London flagship, although Putman has previously expressed an interest in having one, if the right location could be found.

 

The new shop will occupy over 25,000 square feet of retail space and stock a huge range of products, giving full rein to HMV’s recent vinyl-led revamp, as exclusively revealed in Music Week last month. A press release pledges “an unrivalled range of music, where vinyl collectors and enthusiasts will find a huge selection of LPs to pore over as they immerse themselves in thousands of albums in a dedicated vinyl paradise”.

 

“Specialist music lovers will be able to revel in an unparalleled range of classical, jazz, folk, country, blues and world music, with an impressive array of titles carefully selected to appeal to the most discerning of music lovers,” it adds.

 

The shop will also feature a permanent stage area for in-stores. HMV recently expanded its in-store programme to allow unsigned acts to appear.

 

 

 

https://www.musicweek.com/brands/read/shopp...rmingham/077408

Edited September 14, 20195 yr by Common Sense

Can't see the point really if physical sales carry on falling. Maybe they have more vinyl that CD's.

I think the purpose is more to have it as a destination/hub for music fans, and hence more signings/artist appearances/artist performances which, if they do push that element, means I can see it being quite successful. They need to create mini-festivals in there and lots of special events if it is to be effective.

 

I think the new owners have got a good perspective in trying to adapt the brand and trying to make each store more personalised/specialised. The staff picks/local artist sections and enhanced emphasis on more under the radar/hidden gems stuff is a good idea rather than going into a store knowing what to expect. I'm hoping it's paying off because surely it's going to be three strikes and out if it falls under administration again.

I think a small number of big stores in good locations will work. The issue with HMV was they had too many stores in too many high streets that catered to a market that had disappeared.

 

A handful of these, big entertainment stores with live music, signing events and specialist sections can still be a success.

Edited September 14, 20195 yr by Dennis123

Anything that can help HMV stay afloat is fine by me. It’s still one of the only places I want to go to when I go shopping.

Anything that can help HMV stay afloat is fine by me. It’s still one of the only places I want to go to when I go shopping.

I'm the same.

Amazing, so pleased to see they are actually trying to revive the brand.

 

Some indies are thriving atm - Banquet for example have 2 performances most nights, recent acts have included Sam Fender, Emeli Sandé, Keane, Billie Eilish etc., great way to drive album sales and revenue, HMV have latched onto this idea now and with a dedicated space they can host album launches, signings etc., that drive physical sales.

 

I go out of my way to support HMV even though my nearest London store is an hour away.

Anything that can help HMV stay afloat is fine by me. It’s still one of the only places I want to go to when I go shopping.

 

Same. Hope they make a success of it

Any idea of the opening date, you would think they would have a big name artist lined up for the opening day given the type of venue they are promoting it as.

Any idea of the opening date, you would think they would have a big name artist lined up for the opening day given the type of venue they are promoting it as.

 

Their website says it’ll open in October - https://www.hmv.com/music/hmv-new-store-birmingham-hmv-vault

My opinion for a long time is that there isn’t really a place for HMV anymore.... and the store will only become less relevant..

however, fewer stores, vinyl and stages for for live events actually seems like a good direction to go.. sounds pretty fantastic tbf

^^ Sadly agree with this, there is no longer the demand regardless of why they do to have stores on a high street but like you say well placed mega stores that offer something different such as events and a real experience will work.

There's 3 other record stores within a 5 minute walk from this store in Brum, so I hope it doesn't suffer for that reason. V excited!

I think the purpose is more to have it as a destination/hub for music fans, and hence more signings/artist appearances/artist performances which, if they do push that element, means I can see it being quite successful. They need to create mini-festivals in there and lots of special events if it is to be effective.

 

I think the new owners have got a good perspective in trying to adapt the brand and trying to make each store more personalised/specialised. The staff picks/local artist sections and enhanced emphasis on more under the radar/hidden gems stuff is a good idea rather than going into a store knowing what to expect. I'm hoping it's paying off because surely it's going to be three strikes and out if it falls under administration again.

 

I agree. Also it being located in Birmingham - the second largest city in the country - takes the pressure off it being in London, whilst still having a base there in Westfield White City. I think since Doug Putman came on board he's definitely made the existing stores more of a destination and experience than they were before under the last buyout, so he knows what he's doing. They've had a little makeover in my Chelmsford branch and bought the vinyl racks forward and of the times I've been there in the last few months it's always been pretty busy so that's a good sign.

 

Also I don't know if it's been mentioned already but the loyalty scheme is - according to the lady who served me a couple of weeks ago when I asked her - starting up again either end of October or beginning of November. I had a e-mail survey about it a few months back. It won't be called PureHMV like before as far as I'm aware but customers will still have all their points from before and access to things like priority queuing for in-store signings etc.

I'm the same.

 

 

None anywhere near us. Think all the London ones have closed now. :(

 

Maybe if this is successful they'll open one in Oxford St. but rents there are sky high, much higher than even Birmingham.

Edited September 17, 20195 yr by Common Sense

I actually was in the Uxbridge branch yesterday, which is technically in London.

They've definitely boosted the vinyl (and made it more browsable) since the reopening.