News Summary
St. Petersburg is set to bid farewell to the Home Shopping Network (HSN) as it prepares to close its campus after 47 years. Qurate Retail Group, HSN’s parent company, will consolidate operations with QVC in West Chester, Pennsylvania, beginning in the third quarter of 2025. This transition raises concerns over job losses for HSN’s approximately 2,500 employees in St. Petersburg, as the future of the HSN campus remains uncertain, with potential plans for its reuse being suggested by local figures. Despite the closure, QVC plans to maintain a customer service workforce in the area.
St. Petersburg Says Goodbye to HSN: A New Chapter Begins
The sun is setting on an era in St. Petersburg, as the Home Shopping Network (HSN) prepares to close its campus after an impressive 47-year run. This big change comes directly from the folks at Qurate Retail Group, HSN’s parent company, who have decided it’s time to consolidate operations with QVC. The official plan is to shift everything to West Chester, Pennsylvania—a move that’s sure to shake things up for the local community.
A Transition in the Works
The transition has been set in motion, with Qurate Retail Group eyeing the third quarter of 2025 for when the big move will start. HSN has long been a staple of the St. Petersburg business landscape, doing a fantastic job at bringing shopping right into people’s living rooms. But as shopping habits shift and online trends continue to grow, the company is focusing more on live social shopping. This new focus aims to boost efficiency and keep HSN competitive in an ever-changing retail world.
What’s Next for Local Workers?
Currently, the HSN team in St. Petersburg comprises around 2,500 dedicated employees. Understandably, this announcement raises concerns about potential job losses as the company moves its operations north. Local employees can expect to receive news about possible role eliminations by the end of March, leaving many in a state of uncertainty.
The Future of the HSN Campus
For those wondering about what will happen to the HSN campus, located at 2501 118th Ave. N, it covers a whopping 369,000 square feet and may soon be on the market as early as the end of 2025. Some local figures have already started throwing around ideas for future use of the site, with suggestions ranging from a commercial production studio to an educational space.
Keeping a Local Connection
Even with HSN’s departure, QVC plans to keep a connection to St. Petersburg by maintaining a Customer Service & Experience remote workforce in the area. This move softens the blow a tad for the local economy and demonstrates that even though operations are shifting, there’s still a reason to remain connected to the community.
A Look Back and Ahead
QVC and HSN joined forces back in 2017 when QVC purchased HSN for a staggering $2.6 billion. While the combined entities were initially full of potential, they have faced challenges in recent times, including a reported net loss of $15 million in the third quarter of 2024 alone. The decision to consolidate comes amid concerns about declining sales, which have been influenced by recent climate events interrupting operations.
Local Voices Weigh In
A Thank You and Moving Forward
As the HSN brand thanks Florida for its years of support, plans are already in motion to ensure that both HSN and QVC maintain their unique voices. It’s a bittersweet moment for the city, but the focus is on building new paths in this rapidly changing retail environment. For St. Petersburg, this marks the end of an era but also a new chapter filled with possibilities.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Patch
- WTSP
- Hoodline
- Fox 13 News
- Wikipedia: HSN
- Google Search: HSN St. Petersburg
- Google Scholar: HSN consolidation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Home Shopping Network
- Google News: QVC HSN merger
