This past Saturday (April 17), record stores and music fans once again took part in the annual Record Store Day. On this day, 1,400 independent music stores (close to 1,000 of which were in the U.S.) participate in the event by holding in-store appearances and carrying special products exclusively sold on RSD. During a time where album sales are steadily dropping and illegal downloading reigns supreme, this year’s Record Store Day would appear to have come at the right time.
Hits Daily Double is reporting that the third annual RSD was a huge success. Participating retailers not only saw a 41% sales gain over last year’s event, but also a 109% sales gain over the previous weekend. Wow, that is extremely impressive! The article claims that in addition to the exclusive material sold (such as the Soundgarden vinyl reissue of their single “Hunted Down”), the great amount of press held and new album releases out were additional contributions to the day’s success. But RSD co-founder Chris Brown said it perfectly:
“There is a lesson here for the music industry. Focus on the music fans and treat them right and they will come out. Boy, will they come out.”
Amen, brother. It is great to see that a day that celebrates both the independent record store and the loyal music fan did so great. It’s only a shame that such sales seem to now only happen once a year.
