Independent Record Stores In Crisis?

                                                                                                               

 

Illegal file sharing together with the current recession, have seen the closure of some formidable giants of entertainment retail, where all that appears to remain is HMV / Fopp and the surviving independent record stores.

Some independent stores are surviving despite being hit with a double-edged sword. Spillers Records in Cardiff claims to be the oldest record store in the world is threatened with closure unless it finds new premises, due to high city rates. Two petitions have been set up to save the shop and have been presented to Cardiff Council.

“Obviously there are prerequisites such as location and price, but they key is to be knowledgeable, to know the market and dare I say it to be amiable and friendly,” Mike Offen owner of Really Good Records.

“Some of the majors have a different aspect, although they are not meant to, have a policy on age related staff hire, which isn’t the first perquisite.”

Independent record stores tend to be self-run and, as such there is the onus for the proprietor to do the best possible job.

“It’s your baby so to speak and you want to project the best impression you can, usually independent stores are run by people who are incredibly enthusiastic about music and were they to have staff, would employ people of a similar nature. “

Independent record stores are not just a place to buy records; some have incorporated other outlets (such as coffee shops, bars and host live shows) in order to survive. They encourage the social gains from ‘hanging out’ in a record store. This can only add significance to why such places should be cherished.

“I think it’s more the culture thing that’s the main aspect of it, I remember I spent all my years growing up in record stores just talking to people behind the counter. When you’ve had it, its amazing but when record stores start closing down you think F*** its like a part of you that’s missing,” Dan McHugh, marketing executive for the label Fat Cat Records.  

An added importance to the survival of an independent record store is “if you go to an independent they will make that extra effort to service your particular taste, HMV will only order what they perceive to be on catalogue and available,” said Mike Offen.