HMV to Close Oxford Street Store 3 Years After Reopening
HMV said the store became commercially unsustainable after rent demands doubled and it plans to transfer affected staff while seeking a new West End site.
- On Monday, October 12, 2026, retailer HMV announced it will vacate its flagship Oxford Street store in March 2027, impacting just over 50 workers at the historic location.
- Landlords proposed doubling the rent at 363 Oxford Street, while HMV Managing Director Phil Halliday stated that "substantial" renovation works combined to render the site "commercially unsustainable."
- Despite the closure, HMV reported a 15% uptick in like-for-like sales across its 123 UK stores in the first nine months of 2026, with revenues set to reach over £240 million.
- The company is actively searching for a new location in London's West End to maintain a "significant presence" in the capital, while planning to redeploy affected team members.
- This closure marks the end of a brief three-year return; Canadian owner Doug Putman rescued the historic site from insolvency in November 2023 following its 2019 administration.
23 Articles
23 Articles
HMV closes London's Oxford Street iconic flagship store (again) - RetailDetail EU
The British record store HMV is closing its iconic flagship store on Oxford Street in London, barely three years after it reopened. The main reason for the closure: the building’s owner wants to double the rent. There are also looming major renovation costs that would make the store commercially unsustainable.
HMV will close its flagship store at 363 Oxford Street in London in March 2027, just about three years after the site reopened. The company cites as a reason the landlord's plans to double the rent, as well as the need for a “significant” renovation of the building. According to HMV, the combination of higher rent and renovation costs makes the store “commercially unprofitable.” The company will be looking for a new location for a flagship facil…
HMV shutting down its flagship Oxford Street branch, blames rent rises
HMV blames a doubling of rent as it announces the closure of its flagship Oxford Street store in early 2027. More here. On the same day that online physical media retailer Zavvi went into administration, the news also landed that HMV is having to shut down its flagship Oxford Street store. The shop, which only ... HMV shutting down its flagship Oxford Street branch, blames rent rises
HMV plans to close its flagship Oxford Street store just three years after reopening the site, blaming landlords for doubling its rent.
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