16 Facts About Virgin Megastore

Virgin Megastore expanded to hundreds of stores worldwide in the 1990s, but has lost a large number of stores in recent years, largely with the sale and eventual closing of the British, American, Irish, Canadian, Australian, Italian, Spanish, French, Greek, Japanese and Chinese stores.

The name Virgin Megastore, according to Branson, arose from a colleague of his when they were brainstorming business ideas.

Virgin Megastore's suggested Virgin, as they were all new to business, like "virgins".

The Virgin Megastore Group kept the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States and Japan outlets while the Lagardere Group obtained the shops in France and travel retail locations globally including Australia, China, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.

Virgin Megastore shops have a wide selection of CDs, games, books, DVDs, vinyl records, magazines, portable media players, accessories and additional products such as calendars, board games and Virgin Megastore branded items.

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In 2005, Virgin Megastore Digital was launched to cater for those that bought their music digitally or wanted to rip and burn their current music collection.

The French Virgin Megastore business was launched in 1988 by Branson and Patrick Zelnick, CEO of music publisher Naive.

Virgin Megastore had taken steps to terminate the lease on its flagship Champs-Elysees store in Paris after 25 years on the famous street.

Virgin Megastore withdrew from the German market in 1994, amid complaints that the country's shop-closing law was too restrictive.

Virgin Megastore name is used by the Lagardere Group to brand a small number of convenience stores within airports and railway stations.

Virgin Megastore had planned to launch an online store specifically for the Republic of Ireland at virginmegastores.

The Virgin Megastore Group sought to sell its Irish operations during 2007, and on 17 September 2007, it was announced Irish and UK stores would separate from the Virgin Megastore Group.

Virgin Megastore entered the Turkish market in March 2011 with a store located in the Demiroren shopping centre on Istiklal Street near Taksim, Istanbul.

The Virgin Megastore ceased its operations in Vancouver on 4 September 2005 when on 28 June 2005, HMV Canada announced it was planning to expand the store and rebrand the location into the HMV brand.

Culture Convenience Club's licensing contract with Virgin Group for the use of the Virgin Megastore brand had expired, and there was no desire to renew it.

Virgin Megastore Books and Music is a Virgin Megastore-branded entertainment retail chain exclusive to airports and travel locations, operated by the Lagardere Services division of the French conglomerate Lagardere Group.