HMV returns to flagship Oxford Street store this weekend

HMV may be back at 363 Oxford Street, but the lay of the land has changed.

His Master’s Voice, the original high street record store, is to return to its spiritual home this Saturday 28th Sepetember, when the embattled brand moves its old CD racks and record bins back into 363 Oxford Street. Having first opened its doors at the address in 1921, the store was witness to all the major shifts in the modern music industry, even playing host to The Beatles’ 1961 demo disc recording that led to sign their recording contract with EMI in 1961.

Relocated in 2000 as HMV began to struggle against online competition, the store went down with whole company earlier this year when HMV filed for administration burdened by £175 million of debt. [via NME]

Despite reclaiming the old throne, HMV will have to work hard if it’s to make good on a plan to stock more vinyl records, alongside a raft of rejuvinated independent record shops that now account for over 50% of vinyl records sold in the UK.

Earlier this year, independent record shop HVM avoided a lawsuit from Hilco and HMV by turning its sign upside down.