Could you tell me a little bit of history about the store? ownership etc.
The store was opened in 1999 by Alan Jordan who still owns the business to this day and we've stayed alive by going with the market and treating customers with care and attention. Our customers are the people who cant bear the hustle and bustle of HMV and the impersonal side of online 'shopping'
Has independent trading changed in recent times?
Most certainly. The days of indie shops just trundling along, sitting around playing guitars and being nasty to customers (High Fidelity) has gone. You need to get to know your people and know what they want and stock it. Simples
Is vinyl making a comeback?
Without question, it started coming back 10 years ago and we now regularly sell more records in a day than CDs. The sound is warmer than CDs and downloads and people still want the artwork and lyrics in front of them. Vinyl is helping to keep the integrity of albums and proper singles.
Without question, it started coming back 10 years ago and we now regularly sell more records in a day than CDs. The sound is warmer than CDs and downloads and people still want the artwork and lyrics in front of them. Vinyl is helping to keep the integrity of albums and proper singles.
How have online stores and downloads affected the trade?
They have, they've taken away the younger customers who just want to download. And its been proven pretty quickly that it damages the artistic value of music as youngsters treat it with almost disdain these days, never listening to a full track and treating it as cereal or shoes.
They have, they've taken away the younger customers who just want to download. And its been proven pretty quickly that it damages the artistic value of music as youngsters treat it with almost disdain these days, never listening to a full track and treating it as cereal or shoes.
How important is customer service / expertise in a record shop?
See above. Its paramount. You gotta know what your people want, make sure its there for them and also give them the time of day, facebook and twitter can never replace a face to face conversation.
See above. Its paramount. You gotta know what your people want, make sure its there for them and also give them the time of day, facebook and twitter can never replace a face to face conversation.
What would you say to someone who's never shopped in an independent store?
They're missing out and helping turn society into a mechanised database.
They're missing out and helping turn society into a mechanised database.
How important is record store day?
Its mega important. This year, 2011, the shop had by far and away its best takings EVER in 12 years. Its a brilliant thing thats growing every year, even though the likes of HMV, Amazon, Play etc all have the audacity to complain about it!!!
Its mega important. This year, 2011, the shop had by far and away its best takings EVER in 12 years. Its a brilliant thing thats growing every year, even though the likes of HMV, Amazon, Play etc all have the audacity to complain about it!!!
Is the independent scene doing well in Newcastle?
Its doing great. Along with London and Leeds its one of the few cities that still has more than one shop. Even though a few have dropped off in recent years there is big strength in the city with RPM, Windows and Beatdown all going well also. You'd be surprised to know we're all pretty good friends as well!
Its doing great. Along with London and Leeds its one of the few cities that still has more than one shop. Even though a few have dropped off in recent years there is big strength in the city with RPM, Windows and Beatdown all going well also. You'd be surprised to know we're all pretty good friends as well!
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