Opening a record shop

[bass_culture]

Many thanks for all the ideas people, keep them coming!

I think as record shop by itself you would struggle. Most people will just buy online. I would argue that you should not emphasize the newer releases. With these, people know what they want and will just go buy it on the internet as it is easier and (probably?) cheaper.

I agree with this to some extent, and will definitely look into the idea of stocking 'used records' (perhaps reggae would be a good avenue for this?). Definitely only stuff people would actually want to buy however, not boxes and boxes of early 00's house records for 99p that nobody wants!

Maybe graffiti supplies too? Seen a few stores that have that aswell.

One of the record shops in town has recently gotten into this and appears to do quite well. Not sure how much more of a market there is for it but might be worth a try at some point.

Could imagine it being a big hipster place (dunno if there are that many hipsters in Leicester though).

We have our fair share!

[south3rn]

glad some people made the cross-marketing point.

i've been fantasizing about opening a record shop, going over a business model with absolutely no intentions of executing. but a friend and i settled on the idea that you have to appeal to several niche markets in one shop to be able to run a record shop. we thought about selling comics, rare/foreign DVDs, books, boutique clothes, smoke accessories, maybe even sell easy to prepare food (tacos, bbq, sandwiches/salads)...but the more things you sell the more you either spread yourself thin, or have to hire staff to help. in the first few months of business you may not take any income so that you can pay bills and employees.

[kidshuffle]

Maybe market it more that way round then. As a coffee shop that also sells records? Maybe a book section too?

This is a much better idea. Don't confine yourself to just records!
At the end of the day though, I wouldn't touch this business venture lol

[vermilion]

Seeing as you're now thinking of going down the route of incorporating some sort of coffee area along with the records have you thought about speaking to the people at Fabrika (down Humberstone Gate)? Maybe you could sort something out with them similar to the set up at Bar Vinyl over in Camden.

Rockaboom is probably the only pure record shop still going in Leicester. They've been going for years, used to buy all my punk and metal albums there when I was growing up haha. Still make sure to visit when I'm in the area, picked up Ultra Thizz there when everywhere else was sold out! I know 2Funky is still open too, found The Arcane/Dramazon by Depone there once, but their selection is always a bit... anaemic.
DNA carry a selection too, mostly older dnb, garage, house and 2step. Their dubstep selection is a bit lacking although mostly newer stuff.

[slothrop]

I agree with this to some extent, and will definitely look into the idea of stocking 'used records' (perhaps reggae would be a good avenue for this?). Definitely only stuff people would actually want to buy however, not boxes and boxes of early 00's house records for 99p that nobody wants!

The trouble with that is that you actually need a halfway reliable way of getting hold of good second hand records. The reason that places like Reckless or MVE have loads of shite is that by and large if people are getting rid of half their record collection, it's probably going to be the rubbish bits rather than the good ones.

[bass_culture]

Seeing as you're now thinking of going down the route of incorporating some sort of coffee area along with the records have you thought about speaking to the people at Fabrika (down Humberstone Gate)? Maybe you could sort something out with them similar to the set up at Bar Vinyl over in Camden.

Rockaboom is probably the only pure record shop still going in Leicester. They've been going for years, used to buy all my punk and metal albums there when I was growing up haha. Still make sure to visit when I'm in the area, picked up Ultra Thizz there when everywhere else was sold out! I know 2Funky is still open too, found The Arcane/Dramazon by Depone there once, but their selection is always a bit... anaemic.
DNA carry a selection too, mostly older dnb, garage, house and 2step. Their dubstep selection is a bit lacking although mostly newer stuff.

Hey,

I also bought Ultra Thizz in Rockaboom!

I know Adam down at Fabrika pretty well, might give this idea some thought!

2Funky is apparently closing down.

Best.

[arktrix45hz]

^^^
good points

Coffee shop/record shop.

Eastern Bloc in Manchester is the only one in the country like that I can think of, and its one of the best shops I've been too besides BM Soho. You could easily make enough off the coffee shop if you do it right to be able to keep the record side of things afloat too.

EDIT...read thread fully before posting in future!

[fergus222]

Check out kristina

http://www.factmag.com/2012/02/06/how-t ... ord-store/

[Neptune]

rough trade sell coffee.

[Raggles]

Head shop/Record store.


or GTFO

[south3rn]

Head shop/Record store.


or GTFO

honestly don't think that's a good combo.

[mks]

Why not?

Coffee shop/record store/head shop

I think that could work.

(probably not in Texas)...

[SKIN E]

Do your research and give it a go, one thing is for sure though don't we people want more record shops?! Online buying is not the same..

[minusworld]

i would go there if i lived in the uk! .
You could also hire a jamaican waiter ( you know , the one that sings raggae all the time )
We have a coffeeshop here that has such a waiter , everybody goes there just to hear him sing!

[south3rn]

Why not?

Coffee shop/record store/head shop

I think that could work.

(probably not in Texas)...

i think having smoke stuff in your shop will drive a small amount of business away

not having smoke stuff will drive no business away

and the small percentage of extreme douchebags that hang out at smoke shops are enough to keep me from carrying that stuff.

[karmacazee]

Vinyl sales are at a high for quite some time. Maybe short term, but I think if you're clever, and if you buy everything at the right price then you should be ok.

Remember, you make profit from buying, not selling.

[bass_culture]

Why not?

Coffee shop/record store/head shop

I think that could work.

(probably not in Texas)...

i think having smoke stuff in your shop will drive a small amount of business away

not having smoke stuff will drive no business away

and the small percentage of extreme douchebags that hang out at smoke shops are enough to keep me from carrying that stuff.

One of the record shops already markets itself as a head shop... want to stay away from this as much as possible tbh.

[legend4ry]

Maybe market it more that way round then. As a coffee shop that also sells records? Maybe a book section too?

Bricklane's Roughtrade then?






Looking at all my favourite recordships in London; they all sell books, vinyl and CDs. Some do coffee too;


Phonica is the epitome of a perfect recordshop. If you can go there for some research, go for it! The guys there are really friendly about speaking about the shop too.

Vinyl sales are at a high for quite some time. Maybe short term, but I think if you're clever, and if you buy everything at the right price then you should be ok.

Remember, you make profit from buying, not selling.

This is purely down to Discogs, Ebay and online retailers.

Instores are always empty; I went to BM about a month ago during the prime of a nice Saturday afternoon - there was 3 people in there..Phonica and Sound Of The Universe was the same a handful of people - max!

That statement doesn't represent the shoppers going to physical stores; that I can promise.

[bass_culture]

Phonica is One of my favourites

[mrdii]

I think the problem is your profits may be too small, due to a small niche audience, as well as genuinely not making too much profit per item - in relation to things such as rent, buying stock and so forth.

The problem with small niche businesses is that stereotypically, their owners are more 'passion over profit' - which is great...if it's a charity or you're a ditsy housewife with unlimited funds from said husband. For instance, in November a 'vintage' shop opened near me, which sold hipster clothes to hipsters. It had a large Facebook presence, looked nice and had the whole 'independent/friendly' vibe going on, but it still didn't hide the fact the owners where shit at business! By the start of November the shop was closed and they've since gone over to selling on eBay, which is probably smaller in terms of sales and image, but will be much higher in profit.
I can name countless stores similar in nature down the years which have failed, due to living on a high street. Off the top of my head they include: Gadget shops, art shops, toy shops and countless music stores...which doesn't make for great reading!

I would try to combine it with being a coffee shop, clothes shop or book store, or something else. On a basic level, this branches out to more customers. Even if you have to fling in old clothes for the first few months, or apply for a painfully long/stressful food license, it may be worth it!

But most of all, approach this from a business angle, not a 'hobby' one - because you will need to keep an eye on every penny. Stuff like getting £100 cheaper rent rather than getting in a batch of CD's you like is much more important in the long run. It may come across as callous, but remember this is business - and you can't afford to be too passionate.

Perhaps running an online store would be your best bet? Sure, it doesn't have the same social aspect, and isn't half as cool - but what it does have is much cheaper costs, with a similar profit margin. For instance, for a one off payment you may pay £500 for a nice website, and then you're done. No rent. Of course, you may not be after this, but it's something to think about.