Zavvi has collapsed into administration, with all trading stopped immediately and customers told all orders have been cancelled.

The retailer, known for selling Blu-rays, pop culture collectibles, trading cards, music and toys, has completely shut down operations and replaced its website homepage with a notice regarding administration.

“As a result of the Company’s financial position, the Company has ceased trading with immediate effect,” Zavvi said in the statement.

“The Company is unable to fulfil any outstanding orders or pre-orders. Customers should not place any new orders through the Company’s website. Please also note that we are unable to accept any returns for items of any kind.”

Zavvi was founded in September 2007 as a rebranding of Virgin Megastores. At the time, it became the UK’s largest entertainment retailer, with 125 stores. This fell into administration in December 2008, with THG acquiring the brand and relaunching it as an online-only offering in March 2009.

In July 2023, the investment firm Gordon Brothers secured a £5 million facility for Zavvi’s management to buy out THG’s OnDemand division, which included Zavvi as well as the pop culture collectibles brand Pop in a Box.

THG sold its OnDemand division which included Zavvi to its leadership, with Zavvi reforming as a limited company.

In recent years, Zavvi has competed with HMV through its online-only entertainment offerings and deals on limited edition products such as collectors Steelbooks. While HMV operates in the same space, it has focused on expanding its physical presence, last year announcing plans to open more stores within the UK and Europe.

In 2023, HMV reopened its flagship location on London’s Oxford Street. This week, the firm said it will shut the site after three years citing a doubling in its rent and a need for extensive renovations that make operating the store “commercially unviable”.

It has committed to staying in Central London on another site.

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