UK | Number of independent record shops in UK reaches 10-year high, despite overall decline in stores: Despite a decline in stores selling physical music to UK customers, independent music stores continue their growth. The number of independent record stores in the UK has reached a 10-year high, according to new research by ERA, the digital Entertainment and Retail Association. ERA’s research confirms that as of the end of 2023, there were a total of 461 independent record shops up and down the country, a 36% increase on 2013, where there were 339. Despite this rise, the number of stores selling physical music in the UK has hit an all-time low; in 2013 there were a total of 10,391 stores that sold music in the UK, but now there are just 2,486 – a decline of 76%. However, it’s not all bad news – ERA’s new research does prove that despite a shrinking of the physical music market, indie record shops have increased their share of the market; sales from independent record shops now account for 8% of all music sales in the UK. In 2013, indies represented just 3% of music outlets in the country, while in 2023 they represented nearly a quarter, with 23%.
Denville, NJ | The Sweet Vinyl Cafe is a Denville, New Jersey hidden gem: There are so many hidden spots in New Jersey that are just dying to be explored. I love finding out through the internet that there are a ton of quirky and unique cafes, restaurants, bars, and other places that are located not too far from me in my own state. There’s a cafe that’s located in Denville, New Jersey that mixes a few of my favorite things. I’ve seen a few different videos of this spot online and people are loving the comfy, artsy vibes that it gives off. The Sweet Vinyl Cafe is a cafe and record store all mixed into one, making it a wild hidden gem that I’m not sure enough people know about in our state. “Sweet Vinyl Cafe is Northern New Jersey’s first record store/dessert shop. Pursue the new and used vinyl, enjoy a locally made brownie or coffee, hear your favorite music, and discover new recordings and artists in a warm and welcoming community environment.”SweetVinyl.com Their website updates you on what vinyls are new in the store and you can enjoy browsing while you have your favorite coffee in hand.
Charleston, WV | Beloved record store closes after 52 years in business, sign designated historically significant: Record and gift shop, Budget Tapes & Records closed down operations on Sunday after over half a century serving the Charleston area. The Kanawha County business first opened its doors in the 1970s and has since been a go-to source for physical media and music merchandise throughout Southern West Virginia. Owners Dave and Priscilla Pope announced the news last week, noting that the last day of business would be Sunday, March 3, 2024, and citing retirement as the reason for the change, which took many patrons by surprise. “After 52 years, we’re retiring,” read a statement from the establishment. “THANK YOU to our customers for loving Budget all these years!” Along with its eye-catching merchandise, Budget Tapes & Records developed a reputation for its top-notch customer service and knowledgeable employees, one of which was longtime manager John Nelson, who has become something of a local icon over the years.
IE | Vinyl Variety: Elaine Mai Fires off Three of Her Favourite Irish Record Shops: With her latest offerings, it feels like Elaine Mai has hit on a special “moment” in her career. She recently released her new single “The Moment,” featuring singer-songwriter soft centre. Originally written as a lead vocal for a different project, Mai enlivened the track with her unique songwriting abilities. Mai is a queer artist, producer, and songwriter from Dublin who has been performing as a solo acoustic act since 2011. Back then, it was just her with a guitar and loop pedal. Now, she has evolved into a powerhouse electronic artist, which has helped her demonstrate her unique talents as a producer. Although she has been active as an artist and producer for over a decade, Mai didn’t release her debut album Home until the fall of 2021. It was well worth the wait, an arsenal of unique electronic tracks that was applauded as one of the year’s best electronic releases. …Joining us today for a new edition of Vinyl Variety is Elaine Mai herself to share with us a few of her favourite record shops.
UK | Record find leads to record deal for 1980s girl band Zenana: A 1980s female band whose single was discovered by chance in a second-hand shop have signed a new record deal. Zenana, made up of Anita Gabrielle Tedder, Penny Griffiths and Ruth Elder, formed in Milton Keynes in 1983 and disbanded in 1987. But they have now been signed to Rush Hour Records, based in Amsterdam, and have started to perform again. Ms Tedder said since their 1987 single Witches was found by a DJ, “it’s been a roller coaster that’s continued since.” “If you’d told me in my 70th year I would ever be signing a record deal, I would have never have considered it. It’s amazing,” said Ms Tedder, who lives in Wootton, Bedfordshire. …In May 2022, a 24-year-old Bristol-based DJ, Kiernan Abbott, got in contact with the group to say he had stumbled across their single in a second-hand shop and he thought it was brilliant.
USM and Symbol Collaborate on Vinyl Storage Range: A flexible system that grows alongside your collection. Swiss furniture label USM has teamed up with audio brand Symbol to create a four-piece storage collection. The latest in a string of collaborations from USM, the Symbol collection includes a vinyl storage cabinet, a vinyl display cabinet, a record stand, and a record cart. Each is crafted from USM’s modular component system, and is made up of steel tubes and panels that are held together by connecting balls. This marks a departure from Symbol’s typical material palette, as the brand has become known for its work with solid wood. “We’ve held USM in high-regard here at Symbol for a long time, not only for their incredible product, but the clarity of their vision for the world of furniture. The opportunity to work with their legendary catalog of components has been an exciting privilege that we’ve enjoyed from start to finish,” says Walker Tovin, Brand Director at Symbol.
Benton Harbor, MI | The Southwest Michigan Record Show returns to Benton Harbor: The Southwest Michigan Record Show will be at Grand Upton Hall at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center in Benton Harbor on Sunday, March 17. There will be 55 tables with sellers from Mich., Ind., Ohio, and Ill. selling LPs, new vinyl records, 45s, CDs, cassettes, posters, record supplies, and more. “We continue to build awareness about this show and hope to build on the momentum of our inaugural year,” event organizer Jeremy Bonfiglio said. “Whether you are new to vinyl or have been collecting for decades, you will feel right at home at this event. We are all music fans. Our vendors get as excited as the customers when they find a record they’ve been searching for or discover music they didn’t even know they needed. For us, that’s the best feeling.”
Releasing new merch at every opportunity isn’t necessary—especially when existing ones are a mess: When it comes to music, I tend to be a bit of a fangirl. Every time an artist I like releases a new shirt or variant of a record, I immediately purchase it without a second thought — watching the number in my bank account dwindle with every new merch line. With the upcoming release of Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department,” two variants of the album have already been put out, each with its own unique bonus track. These are advertised as limited edition, so naturally I’ve already ordered both. Swift is a marketing genius. Olivia Rodrigo took a similar approach with the release of her album “Guts.” The four standard variants of the vinyl each had an exclusive track, none of which are currently available on streaming. She then released a “Record Store Day” exclusive vinyl with the four bonus songs on it, but it was extremely limited and hard to get. These variants are cool, but they’re incredibly annoying and a waste of money.
