Thorn-EMI 1995 Annual Report

From Mino[*"
Few industries are as
iast-noving and
d,vnamic as music
retailing. So it might
seem a paradox that HMV, the
organisation setting the pace in nanv
of the rvorld's ke_v music nurkets, wrrs
lounded almost 75 ye:rrs ago.
The HMV Group l.ras e arned a
reputatio1r as the most authoritative
nusic retailer in its chosen, and higl.rl-v
conpetitive, narket-places. HMV has
combinec{ its long experiencc rvith the
most imaginitive lpproaches to
attracting and satisiying the interest of
lovers of music ofall kinds. Our
'formula', which hirs take n us to
r rss rn tl.< rrrjor ntu.i. nt.rrlet. rr
'uL
both herrispheres, goes much deeper
than the razzmrtazz and bustle ofour
superstores. Underlying it is a hard
headed polic,v of investment: in prime
sites in tl.re prinary markets; in the
sophisticated systems essential to
efficienc,v and profitabilit,v in a
business rvhere margins are slender;
and, most inportantly, in the quality
ar.rd skills of our people.
lh. rr'r HVV rc, o1.l .191q \r!d.
set up in London's Oxfbrd Street in
1921. Arguably the most famous
record store in the rvorld, it still
flourishes on the s:rme site while:1
short distance away, also in Oxfbrd
122 stores
HMV Group store growth
97 stores
1985/86 -1994/95
56 stores
43 stores
102