hmv embarks on a new chapter as it expands into books

Retailer to open over 2,500 sq ft literary space at 363 Oxford Street flagship store playing host to over 4,000 titles with literary events to follow in dedicated performance area

hmv is to embark on a new chapter as it expands into the sale of books this November. The move marks the retailer’s first major foray into literature as a standalone offering within its retail space.

hmv is devoting an entire floor of its flagship store to its newest venture. The hmv 363 Bookshop will open on 18th November ahead of the busy festive period, featuring a live events stage among a curated range of hidden gems to excite and delight book enthusiasts. The floor is accessed via a staircase from the 1^st floor, leading to a treasure trove of current and classic works across music, film and popular culture.

363 Oxford Street played host to the very first hmv store in 1921, and over the decades it became renowned as a community hub for music fans and one of the UK’s most famous retail destinations. Since it re-opened in 2023, the store has spearheaded the new ‘HMV shop’ concept introduced in stores across the country, which centres on a fan and community-oriented offer.

Whilst the Oxford Street flagship is the first to trial the wider retail of books, the business will look at further literary expansion across the portfolio of 121 stores in the UK. This is in addition to two stores in Belgium and another on Henry Street in Dublin, Ireland.

Doug Putman, Owner, hmv said: “Whilst we have sold books online and have a selection of books available in-store, I’ve always wanted to expand the offering. The hmv 363 Bookshop space at our flagship will be unlike any other bookshop on the high street remaining true to our unique hmv Shop concept which centres around fans and community.

While music is central to the hmv offer, we believe passionately in giving fans of popular culture a place to come, meet and explore the things they care about so deeply with likeminded people. We’ve done that with fans of music, film, popular culture and now through a carefully curated selection of books.  We want to give our communities of readers a new place to connect with each other and celebrate the stories and characters they love.”

As well as becoming its first dedicated literature space, the second floor of 363 Oxford Street will also offer a performance space to host gigs from visiting artists as well as literature-based events and readings, fan meet-ups and signings from internationally renowned artists and writers. On the floor’s opening day, the first 50 customers of the day can take advantage of a hmv bookshop goody bag when they make their first purchase plus enjoy some amazing in-store offers on books, including the 2 for £9.

Doug Putman concludes: “We’re excited about the prospects of a Christmas uplift in sales as the British high street has rediscovered what makes it special post-Covid. There’s a real buzz about Oxford Street and physical retail more generally. However, we’re only going to keep that magic if we continue to innovate and give our shoppers reasons to come back to us. We hope that the opportunity to discover the hmv 363 bookshop will give people a great reason to come to hmv on Oxford Street this festive season.”