HMV

HMV is a British entertainment retailer whose name comes from the phrase "His Master's Voice".

HMV is a British entertainment retailer whose name comes from the phrase "His Master's Voice". The brand began in 1921 with a flagship store on Oxford Street in London and became widely associated with music, film, and media retail. It has also been used historically as a record label connected to the Gramophone Company and EMI.

History

HMV traces its roots to the late 19th-century gramophone business and the Gramophone Company. Its first dedicated HMV store opened in London in 1921, and the Oxford Street branch became a long-running flagship location.

Brand and trademark

The HMV name is short for "His Master's Voice," the title associated with a famous trademark showing a dog listening to a gramophone. The image became closely tied to the company and its recordings business.

Retail business

HMV became a major high-street retailer of music and entertainment goods, later expanding into DVDs, books, and related products. The chain faced severe pressure from digital media and online retail, leading to administration in 2013 and later restructuring.

Record label use

In addition to the retail chain, HMV was also used as a record label name within the broader Gramophone Company and EMI history. The label brand continued in music distribution long after the retail identity became more prominent.