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?
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
Great news, I think Tower’s strength has been dedication to vinyl which is seeing a bigger revival than the one experienced 5-6 years ago, will it last though? Who knows. As for Golden Discs, there’s only so many times you can ask do they have Revolver by The Beatles and get the response ‘Who?’ (exaggerating the lack of choice of course).
I think that’s a little unfair on Golden Discs. They have their niche carved out and it’s working for them otherwise they wouldn’t be in the game 21 years. Most of their staff have been there for years so I doubt they don’t know Revolver by The Beatles since they stock it!
I don’t work for them by the way…I just like to shop in more than one record store.