UK leisure large Zavvi enters administration as orders cancelled – had 125 shops
The Zavvi website has been taken offline and replaced with a message from administrators BDO LLP, with customers urged to contact their bank or card issuer over cancelled orders
Zavvi closed all stores well over a decade a go (stock)(Image: Getty)
A UK online entertainment retailer that once had 125 stores has collapsed into administration today (October 12). Zavvi was originally established in 2007, emerging from Virgin Megastores’ CD, DVD and Blu-ray media outlets.
All 125 UK high street shops subsequently operated under the Zavvi banner, yet by late 2008, the chain had fallen into administration and in 2009, Zavvi’s assets were purchased from administration and relaunched as an online-only platform.
Today, the website, which had become a go-to destination for collectors of Blu-ray, DVD and assorted Lego, Pokemon and Star Wars branded memorabilia, has been placed into administration, with all orders and pre-orders scrapped.
Zavvi continued to operate as an online only retailer (Image: SOPA Images, SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The website has gone offline and been substituted with a notice from administrators BDO LLP today.
It says: “Chris Skey and Kerry Bailey of BDO LLP were appointed as joint administrators of ZavviGroup Ltd (the “company”), which trades as Zavvi, on 12 October 2026.”, reports the Express.
“The affairs, business and property of the company are being managed by the joint administrators.
“Administration is a formal insolvency process. As a result of the company’s financial position, the company has ceased trading with immediate effect.
“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.
“We appreciate that customers who have paid for goods that have not been received will be concerned about their orders and payments.
“Customers should contact their bank, card issuer or payment provider promptly to establish whether they may be entitled to recover their payment.
Zavvi took over stores left by Virgin Megastore(Image: Terry George, WireImagevia Getty Images)
“Depending on the payment method and the circumstances of the transaction, customers may be able to make a claim under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, request a chargeback, or use another buyer-protection process.
“The joint administrators have established a dedicated customer enquiries inbox: [email protected]”.
“Customers who email this address will receive an automated response containing a detailed frequently asked questions document and information about submitting a claim in the administration.
“Due to the significant number of affected customers, the joint administrators will not ordinarily be able to provide individual responses to questions addressed in the frequently asked questions. Customers should therefore read the automated response carefully before sending any further correspondence.
“Further updates will be published on this website when available.”
