Zavvi was an entertainment retail chain in the United Kingdom and Ireland, originally Virgin Megastores. Zavvi was formed in September 2007 when a management buy-out team purchased the company from Richard Branson's Virgin Group. It was the UK's largest independent entertainment retailer before being placed in administration on 24 December 2008. Store closures took place from January 2009, with the last to cease trading on 20 February. HMV purchased 19 Zavvi stores to be merged into the HMV chain. Former managing director Simon Douglas and business partner Les Whitfield purchased five of the stores to form Head Entertainment, all of which eventually closed in early 2009 after less than a year of trading. On 2 March 2009, The Hut Group purchased the rights to the Zavvi brand online, and relaunched the Zavvi website with an increased range.