Just weeks after HMV announced it is shutting down across Canada, Ontario-based chain Sunrise Records has announced it will take over 70 previously owned HMV brick and mortar locations in malls across Canada.
The news comes on the heels of music chain HMV Canada being put into receivership after announcing the closure of all its stores by April 30.
The expansion will include major markets from coast-to-coast from British Columbia to Quebec and on into the Atlantic provinces.
The acquisition includes locations at Metrotown in Burnaby, BC, Polo Park in Winnipeg, MB, Limeridge Mall in Hamilton, ON, Square One in Mississauga, ON, Promenades St-Bruno in Saint Bruno, Quebec, and the two-level, 20,000 square foot store in West Edmonton Mall.
The fate of the Victoria locations will be revealed in the coming days as details of the major acquisition is finalized.
Sunrise Records plans to broaden the assortment of music that HMV carried and expects a 50 per cent increase in CD sales.
In addition to selling CDs and DVDs, the company revealed plans to branch out into selling music merchandise, board games, toys, and pop culture apparel, as well as an increased focus on selling vinyl.
Sunrise will also continue its longstanding tradition of supporting local independent artists by carrying their music for sale.
“We want to support independent Canadian artists more than ever. We feel it’s an obligation, not to mention we love discovering talented new artists,” said Doug Putman, president of Sunrise Records.
Sunrise Records will invite 1,340 former HMV employees to apply for 700 positions as it prepares to move into the new locations.
“We want to let any former HMV employees know that we are opening, and we want to hear from them,” says Putman.
Sunrise Records currently has 9 stores in Ontario. The new locations will start opening in early April 2017.
