Interesting article in the New York Times today about the decline of the brick and mortar music store.
Two quotes:
Since late 2003, about 900 independent record stores have closed nationwide, leaving about 2,700, according to the Almighty Institute of Music Retail, a marketing research company in Studio City, Calif. In 2004, Tower Records, one of the nation’s largest chains, filed for bankruptcy protection.
…
Some independent owners are resisting the demographic challenges. Eric Levin, 36, who owns three Criminal Records stores in Atlanta and oversees a trade group called the Alliance of Independent Media Stores, representing 30 shops nationally, said that businesses losing young customers are “dinosaurs” that have done nothing to cater to the new generation. Around the country, he said, shops like Grimey’s in Nashville, Shake It Records in Cincinnati and Other Music in New York are hanging on to young customers by evolving into one-stop hipster emporiums. Besides selling obscure CD’s and even vinyl records, many have diversified into comic books, Japanese robot toys and clothing. Some have opened adjoining nightclubs or, in Mr. Levin’s case, coffee shops. (full story)
I read that whole article and while the statistics are probably true (hard to argue with) I think the stores they chose are indeed dinosaurs unwilling to change and adapt. I have a store near me that’s doing fine selling new indie viyle, used vivyl and hard to find cds. they opened about a year ago and are thriving
same thing here in san diego- hard to take those store owners seriously when they’re all saying, “crazy kids with their internets and whatnot.” and they mentioned that tower records was operating under bankruptcy protection? liquidate that corporation and sell the fixtures for scrap.
I think more people would buy CD’s if they were cheaper.
It’s real simple… Why spend $16 at a store when I can get it for $9.99 on ITunes?
Good god, I can’t remember the last physical CD that I bought.
my store in Cleveland turned 2 years old today. We are doing very well. Seems to me the large independent stores are faltering and the small niche stores are surviving. We sell a lot of new vinyl to those downloading kids. they have it on their ipod and love, so they go out and by the vinyl copy.
Follow your dreams, you can reach your goals. nokia6630
tpemse ucapjuais
TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (?526) each to donate to a charitable cause…