In recent years, vinyl sales have exploded and with it, record shops have gained success and popularity. However, a new measure by Warner Music could have a severely damaging effect on some of these record stores.
As Pitchfork reports, the marketing team of Warner Music, WEA, has enforced a new measure that would essentially prevent stores that make under $10,000 from having accounts with Warner Music.
As a result, “about a hundred” retailers have had their accounts terminated. Warner Music explains that they believed these retailers would have a better business buying through other wholesalers. In addition, they explain that many of these retailers had not ordered vinyl in a long time, and that these shops were not solely record stores, but also included museum gift shops.
Instead of buying through Warner Music, these shops would have to buy their products from intermediaries. Nonetheless, this pressure could severely injure these small businesses.
Many record store owners have expressed distress for the new measure, saying that they already face severe pressure from bigger record stores.
It’s definitely worrisome news for not only these businesses, but the consumers as well. Closing record stores could mean less accessibility to vinyl in general.
In the meantime, we will just have to wait and see what this new measure by Warner Music could mean for record stores.
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