Ch-Ch-Changes Over The Years

Record stores have noticed the change in sales over the years due to the advent of the Internet. The Internet has caused noticeable damage, yet has lead to some benefits over the years. Downloading music from online stores such as iTunes has left some record stores without business. On the other hand, the Internet has given the power to expose a record store. Many customers are now turning to the Internet to locate record stores with search engines like Google. This has ultimately lead to the revival of vinyl and the survival of obscure bands and music.

Evan Chern is a long time business partner of the record store Yesterday & Today Records, a long established record shop in Miami, America. In interview with Goldmine, Evan was asked of the changes he has noticed in the music industry, and with over 20 years of experience in the music trade his opinion is valued.

The Exposure of New Music

The advent of the Internet has had effect on the "mom-and-pop" bands, the independent record sales. More bands have found the limelight since Internet has made their music more accessible. Old bands are now being stocked in digital, online fashion that have previously been too unpopular to warrant a CD version of their original vinyl LPs.

The Power of the Search Engine

While online record sales are up from the attractive easy of the transaction, Yesterday & Today Records have seen new customers who find the store through online search engines. Evan comments at how many of the new faces he sees have found his store online through Google, giving him the ability to advertise to more clients who still value a hard vinyl copy of music and the beauty of analogue sound. Depends much upon the area and how people view the purchase of music.

The Survival of the Record Store

The survival of Evan's store he puts down to his location. His advice to new record store owners is to "research location" as it is important to start a store in an area that has enough like-minded customers. With the tobacco and adult stores surrounding his shop, Evan says people are more inclined to visit his store with "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll all in the same block".


References:

Chern, E. (2010). For the record: Yesterday & Today Records. Goldmine Magazine. 36(3), 16. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from International Index for Music Periodicals database.