If you enjoy rummaging through those old plastic crates of tunes, rather than trying to read a CD’s track listing whilst getting jostled by people brushing past in search of groceries, packs of envelopes etc,etc. you might be disappointed to catch the latest (2003) statistics on music outlets. (source: Millward Brown)

Independent specialist record/music shops fell again from 948 shops in the UK in 2002, to only 822 in 2003 – a loss of 126 shops – a fall of 13.3%. If that figure were to remain constant, there would be no more independent record stores left by 2010.

...............................2002..........2003....Gain %
specialist chains........520...........558......7.3
multiples..................1386.........1734....25.1
indi specialists..........948...........822.....-13.3 (down)
supermarkets...........1978.........1958...-1.0 (down)
Others*....................300..........300......0.0

(Other figure is estimated and included legal internet download pay sites)

(PSssss! sorry about the column spacing... )

It's a shame in one way. I wonder what the 2004 figures will hold.


By the way, in the poll above - if you buy from more than one location, vote for the location that you buy from the most.

I use my local Tesco's and HMV but also visit my fave little record shop in soho quite often too because i get a cup of coffee there and somtimes a donut if i arrive at the right time.

Cant see the people at HMV making me a coffee can you ?

may they should then i might spend more time in there !

To be honest, I think we would all buy from any shop selling records - garage forecourts, etc. It just depends on the price. I may browse at HMV or WHSmiths, but when I know I can get the same item cheaper off the net or from Asda or Woolies, I'm much more likely to purchase elsewhere.

I have voted other as most of my new music comes from promo discs however I still support my local record store for oldies and specialist stuff. I think it will all change in the future but I like to actually have the chance to waste the odd half hour rumaging through the stock while the wife does her shops. And I usually come out with a CD by the way.