IMPORTANT - due to COVID-19, we are currently only accepting requests from stores in England from local artists to stock their music (or other products) in our stores. We plan to resume this fully once the live music scene starts up again fully in the months to come. If you have any queries, please email legal@hmv.co.uk.
We are happy to consider stocking music from unsigned artists and bands in local hmv and Fopp stores and we may also if appropriate invite you to perform in our stores. On occasion, we may agree to stock other local artist products such as DVDs and books.
Before we can consider stocking anything from you, please visit your local store to ask if they are interested in stocking your product. If they are, then please supply the necessary information to the store. Once we have considered your request, if we agree to take stock from you, we will contact you via email with an agreement for you to complete and sign.
If your enquiry relates to supplying us with goods in several stores, please see becoming a supplier.
TERMS
The following is a brief outline of the terms that will be included in the agreement that will be provided by us if we agree to take stock from you on a local basis:
- stock shall be provided on a consignment basis which means that we pay you for the stock we sell
- you can either deliver the stock in person or deliver the stock via courier
- you shall provide a delivery note with all stock delivered
- each week we shall email you details of the stock sold during the previous week
- at the start of each month, you shall invoice us for all stock sold during the previous month
- we shall pay you on 30-day end-of-month terms once you submit each valid invoice
- unsold stock shall be collected by you
LOCAL ARTIST DETAILS
If a store wishes to take stock, they will request the following information from you:
- artist name / band name
- title / description of the stock
- format (CD, book etc)
- cost price (the amount we shall pay you for each item we sell to our customers)
- details of any planned marketing, pr and advertising
- details of any upcoming live performances in the area
- contact name, telephone number and e-mail address
- full name, postal address and email address of the person who will sign the agreement
- for companies: company name, company number, registered address, trading address
You may download and use this document to detail the above information you will be required to provide to the store.
LOCAL ARTIST DETAILS - CLICK HERE
LOCAL ARTIST STOCK AGREEMENT PROCESS
- Contact store staff to enquire if they are interested in stocking your music or other goods, if they are, provide them with the necessary details (as listed above).
- The store shall forward the information you provide to hmv legal at our head office who will review and contact you or the store if any clarification is required.
- If we agree to take stock from you, hmv legal shall prepare a formal Local Artist Stock Agreement based upon the information you have supplied. The agreement shall be sent directly to you via email to review, complete and sign digitally.
- The agreement will need to be completed online. Full instructions will be supplied with the agreement.
- The person who signs the agreement will be responsible for declaring earnings (if appropriate) to HMRC and whose bank details will be requested by hmv legal on the agreement. A valid UTR number (where relevant) will also be required (further information is available from HMRC or from your accountant). Where you represent a company, the company bank details, and company UTR number will be required.
- Once the agreement has been completed, if there are no issues, hmv legal shall process the agreement and then the store will contact you to request you arrange delivery of the stock. The stock should not be delivered until the agreement has been completed and you have been asked to deliver the stock.
- If we agree to take stock in multiple stores, separate agreements will be required for each store. We will only take stock in a maximum of five stores as this local artist procedure is designed for artists based locally in individual stores. Please see becoming a supplier for information about wider distribution.
SAMPLE DELIVERY NOTE
You may download and use this sample delivery note template when delivering goods to us.
Please add your details and update the information on the delivery note, as necessary.
SAMPLE DELIVERY NOTE - CLICK HERE
SAMPLE INVOICE
You may download and use this sample invoice template when invoicing us for goods sold.
Please add your details and update the information on the invoice, as necessary.
SAMPLE INVOICE - CLICK HERE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please ensure you have read all the below FAQs before contacting us with any queries.
How long will it take before my stock is on sale in the store?
I supplied the information to the store and have not heard anything since.
I am having trouble completing the agreement or there is an error in the agreement.
My online agreement has expired when I try to complete it.
It may take longer than fourteen days to complete and sign the agreement.
I have given you my information but have now decided I do not want to proceed.
I have signed the agreement, when can I deliver the goods?
We are a band, what do we do regarding the agreement, invoicing, and payment.
I represent a registered company, what is the process?
What price will you sell the goods for?
Does my stock need to have a barcode number?
Do I need to have a catalogue number on my music product?
What quantity of stock should I supply?
Can I sell my music or other items on your website?
Do I have to pay and invoice for VAT?
I do not have all my bank details.
I don’t understand the weekly report that I receive via email.
I have not been paid when expected or not paid the correct amount.
Can I perform my music in store?
How can I help the items to sell?
How long will the stock be on sale?
Is it just music you stock from local artists?
The proceeds from sales from my items are going to go to charity.
How long will it take before my stock is on sale in the store?
It will typically take about three to four weeks by the time you provide your details, the agreement is completed, and we have your details and stock added to our computer systems. However, it can take longer if there are any queries with your request and if we have a lot of requests to process.
I supplied the information to the store and have not heard anything since.
Please check your email spam folder to ensure you have not missed an agreement that we may have sent you, if you cannot find the agreement email, please contact the store directly, you can use the Find a Store link at the top of this page to find their phone number. If they say that an agreement has been sent to you and you still cannot find it, please email legal@hmv.co.uk with full details.
How do I sign the agreement?
Full details will be supplied with the agreement which you will receive via email. You will be expected to sign online using DocuSign. We cannot accept signed agreements in any other format. Please ensure that once you have signed the agreement, you keep a copy for your records.
I am having trouble completing the agreement or there is an error in the agreement.
Please email legal@hmv.co.uk and describe the problem, please include your supplier number in the email. We will review and advise you what to do or send you an updated agreement if necessary. Please do not sign and submit the agreement without completing all the necessary sections accurately, this will just delay the process as we will have to contact you to confirm the missing information and issue another agreement.
I have already completed an agreement for one store, why do I have to complete another agreement for another store?
Each agreement is tailored to the store that is taking the stock from you. This process is only for local suppliers to deliver stock to their local stores, and we would usually only take stock in up to five stores, depending on the catchment area. If you would like us to consider stocking in multiple stores, please see becoming a supplier for information about wider distribution.
My online agreement has expired when I try to complete it.
You are given fourteen days to complete the agreement before it automatically expires. Please email legal@hmv.co.uk and we will send you a new agreement, please include your supplier number in the email.
It may take longer than fourteen days to complete and sign the agreement.
If you think you will not complete the agreement within fourteen days, please email us so we can extend the time you have to complete and sign it. Any agreements that are not completed and signed will expire but they will remain on our contract system for a few weeks, after which time we will cancel the request completely so please do let us know if there will be a delay on your part so we can ensure that the request is not cancelled.
I have given you my information but have now decided I do not want to proceed.
Please email legal@hmv.co.uk so that we can cancel the request.
I have signed the agreement, when can I deliver the goods?
The store should be in touch shortly after you have signed the agreement to ask you to deliver the goods. If you have not heard from the store within two weeks from signing the agreement, please contact the store directly, you can use the Find a Store link at the top of this page. You can use the sample delivery note template available above when you deliver the goods. Note that you must provide a delivery note with the goods.
We are a band, what do we do regarding the agreement, invoicing, and payment.
You will need to nominate one person to complete and sign the agreement, this will also need to be the same person who will be responsible for invoicing us and who we will pay all valid invoices to. We cannot split payments between different members of the band. Please discuss this between you and ensure that the correct contact details are given to the store when you start the process. If we need to amend the contract for the agreement later, this will cause issues and delay the overall process.
I represent a registered company, what is the process?
You will need to provide the details of the company you represent including the company registration number, company name, registered and trading addresses and the name and position of the person from the company who is authorised to sign the agreement. We will check the details you supply with those logged at Companies House, so please ensure they are correct. We may also ask you to provide supporting documentation to verify that you are representing a registered company and that you have authority to bind them to the agreement.
What price will you sell the goods for?
We will decide on a retail price depending on the cost price that you will charge us for the goods we sell. Please discuss this with the store directly or email legal@hmv.co.uk. Please do not print prices directly onto the goods. Legally, we reserve the right to set the retail prices at our sole discretion and any recommended retail prices shall not affect our entitlement to set the retail prices.
Does my stock need to have a barcode number?
If your stock has barcodes, we may use them or alternatively we may generate our own barcodes that will appear on the price labels.
Do I need to have a catalogue number on my music product?
No, but is helpful if you do allocate a catalogue number that we can add to our systems. This is simply a code that you use to identify your music per format and all commercially produced CDs, LPs, etc have one, usually printed on the spine.
What quantity of stock should I supply?
We would take no less than ten units per item and we would expect to sell at least five units each month as a minimum in a store. If the quantities that we sell are under this per month, it may not be cost-effective to take goods as we must factor in the time spent by staff in store, the time it takes to prepare and process the agreement, adding your details and the items to our computer systems, checking your invoices, and paying you via bank transfer.
Can I sell my music or other items on your website?
No, this facility is for local hmv and Fopp stores only, we cannot sell your items on our website at this time.
Do I need a UTR Number?
This depends on how much you earn from the sale of your music (or other goods). UTR Number (unique taxpayer reference number) is a 10-digit number issued by HMRC and is used to identify individual taxpayers and limited companies and is used to ensure they are paying the appropriate tax. You should speak to an accountant or HMRC who would be able to advise further.
We will consider processing your application without a UTR number, however, note that the person who signs the agreement is personally responsible for ensuring that (where necessary) all earnings from sales of goods under the agreement are declared to HMRC and any due taxes are paid. If you represent a registered company, you will be required to provide a UTR Number. We cannot advise you in this area.
Do I have to pay and invoice for VAT?
Only if you are VAT registered. If you are unsure if you are required to pay and invoice for VAT, we advise you speak to an accountant.
I do not have all my bank details.
Please contact your bank to request any missing details. We cannot pay you if you do not supply all the required details, including your IBAN which is usually found on your printed or online statement. If you have been sent an agreement, do not complete and sign it until you have added all your bank details. Please check that your bank details are accurate as we cannot be held responsible if a payment goes missing if you have supplied incorrect details.
When should I invoice you?
Each week we will send you an email that details how much stock we have sold during the previous week and how much stock remains in our stores. At the start of each month and no later than the tenth day of the month, you should invoice us for all stock we have reported to you that we have sold in the previous month.
How do I invoice you?
Full details of how to invoice us are included in the agreement. You can use the sample invoice template that is downloadable above. On the invoice, you must include all the requested information that is listed in the agreement. If you omit any details, we may have to return the invoice to you, and you will need to submit it again which may delay payment. Invoices must be submitted via email on Microsoft Word or PDF format, the invoice cannot be in the text body of an email. Your supplier number should be included in the email header. Note that we will usually only contact you if there is a problem with the invoice, if you do not hear from us then you should assume that the invoice will be processed for payment, but you may contact us if you have any queries.
I don’t understand the weekly report that I receive via email.
The agreement you signed contains a page at the end that explains what the different fields and data means. If you are still having trouble, please email financesystemslondon@hmv.co.uk who will be able to advise further. Please include your supplier number in the email.
What is my supplier number?
When we issue the agreement for signing, we shall advise you of your supplier number which will begin with the letter S followed by either 4 or 6 digits. Your supplier number shall also be listed within the agreement. The supplier number is unique to you and will remain the same for as long as we trade with you, it is important as it helps us locate your details on our systems and ensures that we pay you correctly for goods sold. Please include your supplier number on every delivery note, invoice, and on any email that you send us. If you approach additional hmv or Fopp stores to ask them to stock your music or other goods, you must tell the store you already have a supplier number and what it is. If you do not know what your supplier number is, please email legal@hmv.co.uk with your details and we will check for you.
When will I be paid?
We pay all valid invoices at the end of the following month that the invoice is submitted, these are standard business payment terms. For example, if you invoice us at the start of January for all December sales, we will pay you at the end of February.
How will I be paid?
We will pay into the bank account using the bank account details that you supply when you complete the agreement. We cannot pay into a PayPal account or any other online payment system, all payments are made via BACS directly into a bank account.
I have not been paid when expected or not paid the correct amount.
Please email legal@hmv.co.uk with a copy of the invoice that has not been paid or has been paid incorrectly and tell us about the issue and we will investigate, please include your supplier number in the email.
Can I perform my music in store?
Please ask the store who will be able to advise further if it is possible for you to perform in store. We do have to take several factors into consideration (time of day of the performance, health and safety, musical equipment electrical PAT testing, etc) so it may take some time to arrange and cannot be guaranteed.
How can I help the items to sell?
In the case of music, we ask you to promote your music on social media and to tell people that they can buy your music at the store. Speak to our store staff who may be able to advise. Please do not advertise that the music is available to buy in store until the store has confirmed that it is.
How long will the stock be on sale?
This is up to the store, but if the stock does not sell or the sales slow-down after the initial launch, we will ask you to come and collect the remainder of the stock, but we will, of course, pay you for any stock that we have sold. We only have a certain amount of space in stores to sell local artist product, so we do have to prioritise what remains in store.
How do I get my stock back?
If you would like your stock back, please contact the store directly and arrange to go and collect the stock. You should then invoice us for any outstanding sales that have not already been invoiced.
Is it just music you stock from local artists?
It is mostly music, but we do also stock local books, DVDs and other products that may be of interest in the local area. Please speak to your local store to see if they are interested.
The proceeds from sales from my items are going to go to charity.
For legal and financial reasons, we will only consider requests directly from registered charities or from people raising funds for registered charities. Please supply the charity number and the legal name of the charity to the store. We may contact the charity directly for clarification before agreeing to proceed. We may also request that you provide a signed letter to confirm that the monies will be donated to the charity. In addition, we may also ask to review any wording that will appear on the goods and on marketing materials to notify customers that the items are being sold to raise money for the charity, this is to ensure that the wording is clear and within legal guidelines.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The store should be able to assist you with any queries, however, if you require any further assistance, please check the FAQs above and if you cannot find the answer then email legal@hmv.co.uk. If you already have a supplier number, please include it in your email. We will get back to you as soon as possible, but please be patient as we do receive a lot of enquiries from people wanting us to stock their music and other goods.
The information on this page and the FAQs are updated from time to time so please check here again if you have a query.
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