HMV closed on Grafton Street last year but since then, new owners Hilco Capital have re-opened the store on Henry Street and today announced HMV will be returning to Grafton Street in Dublin to occupy the old A-Wear premises.
There’s no opening date yet but 35 jobs will be created (presumably old staff would have to go through that process too).
There will be seven HMV stores: Henry Street, Dundrum Town Centre, Liffey Valley (Dublin); Crescent Shopping Centre (Limerick), the Quays Shopping Centre (Newry) and Donegal Arcade (Belfast).
There is also “37 dual branded Xtra-vision and HMV stores opened around the country in 2013 and early 2014, with a further 11 locations opening over the next month”.
After a period of closure of shops in Ireland, things have reversed with Golden Discs reopening on Stephen’s Green and Tower Records just weeks ago moved from its Wicklow Street store to a new home in the old Waterstones on Dawson Street.
The question remains whether these businesses can be financially viable long-term. Obviously, these outlets rely on more than just music to make money but will physical music and entertainment product have a sustainable appeal in ten years or is the reversal shortlived?
