By Noni Kigera
Record Store Day has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the future of record stores is more precarious than ever. The holiday was moved from April 18th to June 20th, subsequently delaying one of the most profitable weekends for album sales annually.
Vinyl retailers have faced challenges over the decades by clinging on despite changes in music distribution. However, in this grim era, the music industry as a whole is taking serious blows.
Last month had the worst sales week in history since 1960. Streaming was down 7.6% and album sales dropped 27.6%. Additionally, by the end of March, Amazon, the largest seller of vinyl in the U.S., announced it would stop restocking vinyl records to prioritize essential equipment.
Although in a new statement, Amazon claimed they would restock vinyls and other items in limited quantities, physical product sales are down around the country.
In Rolling Stone, Carrie Colliton, director of marketing for the Department of Record Stores and a co-founder of Record Store Day, said, “It’s a crazy time to be a small business person who sells records. But they’ve gone through stuff before.” She added, “As long as people need human connection and music and art, they’ll be there in some form or another.”
Many store owners have found new platforms in websites, marketplace discogs, and online databases. Sales aren’t as profitable as foot traffic, but they are a hope for survival.
Photo: Shutterstock
