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| Record shops fight for survival | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Independent record shops are attempting to show they have a bright future with a series of special events under the banner Record Store Day. | Independent record shops are attempting to show they have a bright future with a series of special events under the banner Record Store Day. |
| The event comes despite a year in which a quarter of UK outlets closed. | The event comes despite a year in which a quarter of UK outlets closed. |
| The Entertainment Retailers' Association said there were 408 independent record shops in 2007, but only 305 remained by the end of 2008. | |
| Around 100 UK shops are participating in the events, which will include in-store gigs and one-off vinyl releases. | Around 100 UK shops are participating in the events, which will include in-store gigs and one-off vinyl releases. |
| As well as recessionary pressures faced by all retailers, independent record stores have had to cope with the twin threat of the rise of music downloads and of supermarket giants selling music en-masse in recent years. | As well as recessionary pressures faced by all retailers, independent record stores have had to cope with the twin threat of the rise of music downloads and of supermarket giants selling music en-masse in recent years. |
| DISAPPEARING RECORD SHOPS 2005 - 734 independent stores2006 - 5782007 - 4082008 - 305 >Source: Entertainment Retailers' Association. Figures are for UK. | |
| Many have survived by finding a niche in the market - appealing to collectors who want to buy music on vinyl or stocking releases from a much wider range of artists than that found in big-chain record stores. | Many have survived by finding a niche in the market - appealing to collectors who want to buy music on vinyl or stocking releases from a much wider range of artists than that found in big-chain record stores. |
| Spencer Hickman, from the Rough Trade store in east London, said: "There is a general thought that record stores will no longer be, but I think the strongest of the bunch and the most forward-thinking will survive." | Spencer Hickman, from the Rough Trade store in east London, said: "There is a general thought that record stores will no longer be, but I think the strongest of the bunch and the most forward-thinking will survive." |
| As well as in the UK, Record Store Day is also being celebrated on Saturday at more than 1,000 independent record stores in the United States and in another 16 countries around the world. | As well as in the UK, Record Store Day is also being celebrated on Saturday at more than 1,000 independent record stores in the United States and in another 16 countries around the world. |
| Just for the day, many artists are issuing special releases which will only be available for sale in independent shops. Vinyl singles from Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan are among those that have been pressed to mark the event. | Just for the day, many artists are issuing special releases which will only be available for sale in independent shops. Vinyl singles from Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan are among those that have been pressed to mark the event. |
| And the Rough Trade chain of stores will be reviving the cassette tape - a music format now rarely found other than in specialist stores. They are selling a special 99p compilation tape featuring Jarvis Cocker, Mystery Jets and 13 other acts. | And the Rough Trade chain of stores will be reviving the cassette tape - a music format now rarely found other than in specialist stores. They are selling a special 99p compilation tape featuring Jarvis Cocker, Mystery Jets and 13 other acts. |