So all this "the internet is killing music retail" business

[Jeztone]

I've just spent a week around Europe, France, Germany, Austria, Brussels etc.

All I saw were well stocked guitar shops doing good business, most of the prices were not that great, but it didn't seem to be deterrring the customers I saw buying stuff. So it does kinda blow away the idea that the internet is killing the guitar store.

It might be worth pointing out that all of the shops I went too had much better standards of display/mechandising and more comprehensive ranges than any guitar shop I've seen in Blighty recently. Music Shop in Cologne is like Musical Exchanges in Birmingham used to be 15 years ago.

Any Thoughts retailers?

[nsureit]

It's not just the net, the cost of real estate has a huge influence.


Legendary Manny's Music to Close
New York, NY (March 11, 2009) -- An era that spanned nearly 75 years will come to an end this spring when Manny’s Music closes its doors for the last time. The legendary guitar store that served everyone from Hendrix and the Beatles to Clapton and U2 is set to close in May.

Located on New York City’s Music Row, West 48th Street Manny’s opened in 1935 and has seen countless stars. The store’s walls are a testament to its history—they’re covered in framed, autographed glossies of the patrons who have passed through the doors.

Other stores on Music Row are feeling the squeeze as well, and some worry that it’s only a matter of time until the entire neighborhood is gone. In a March 2008 article in The Real Deal, a New York real estate magazine, Sam Ash President Paul Ash and Manny’s grandson Ian Goldrich both commented on the Rockefeller Group’s push to purchase the surrounding property. The Goldrich family still owns the building Manny’s is located in. “I get at least a call a day from someone who wants to buy the building,” Goldrich told The Real Deal.

The store was purchased by Sam Ash in 1999. Ash told Premier Guitar in June 2008 that the company purchased the store because it was having troubles, and they believed it was an institution that should be maintained. Manny’s grandson, Ian Goldrich, continued to run the store after Sam Ash’s purchase. Neither Ash nor Goldrich could be reached for comment.

[guitargeek62]

My locals been doing great over the last year. Since the dollar's gone up theyve lost export trade but are suddenly able to compete with the big box movers because theyre not taking risks and selling at barely over cost anymore. Personally, i dont mind the dollar increase - its understandable and for once im in a position where im not too fussed about buying this or that

[JUST.ME.AND.MY.MONKEY]

its sad about mannys

[*Noodles*]

I think there's a market there, but it's not as it once was.

That's a fact.

The internet has deterred users from buying CDs because they can buy them online - quicker, easier and cheaper.
Those people who "like" music will buy the product (CD) and get a better experience - music isn't a disposable item for them.

[nocaster]

The reason most of the (music) shops around here have closed is because they were shit and run by fools.

If the internet hadn't come around then they would have been open for longer, but they would have probably shut down regardless.

It's like when people bang on about pubs closing! I work for a brewery and a well managed pub is still a very profitable business if you diversify and try new things. If you sit back and sell pints of warm ale to the same guy and his dog for 20 years and moan about food/kids in pubs, then you deserve to go bust.

K

[mellowsun]

Bought a Boss BR-600 from a real shop the other day. I don't see any advantages buying online at the moment, as the cheapest online price plus postage was only a few quid cheaper than the shop price (259). I'm happy to pay the extra few quid for peace of mind (a real shop to return an item to if there are problems).

[jim_branning]

def' property prices! (and business rates), killing not only family, local and specialist retail stores, but live gig venues too who sell out to big corporate chains or to prop' developers - look at the Charlotte in Leicester going as one example or the Canaervan in camden.. and of course all the little music infastructure like local rehearsal rooms and cheap recording studios suffer too & close shop

[fretmeister]

Originally Posted by nsureit

It's not just the net, the cost of real estate has a huge influence.


Legendary Manny's Music to Close
New York, NY (March 11, 2009) -- An era that spanned nearly 75 years will come to an end this spring when Manny’s Music closes its doors for the last time. The legendary guitar store that served everyone from Hendrix and the Beatles to Clapton and U2 is set to close in May.

Located on New York City’s Music Row, West 48th Street Manny’s opened in 1935 and has seen countless stars. The store’s walls are a testament to its history—they’re covered in framed, autographed glossies of the patrons who have passed through the doors.

Other stores on Music Row are feeling the squeeze as well, and some worry that it’s only a matter of time until the entire neighborhood is gone. In a March 2008 article in The Real Deal, a New York real estate magazine, Sam Ash President Paul Ash and Manny’s grandson Ian Goldrich both commented on the Rockefeller Group’s push to purchase the surrounding property. The Goldrich family still owns the building Manny’s is located in. “I get at least a call a day from someone who wants to buy the building,” Goldrich told The Real Deal.

The store was purchased by Sam Ash in 1999. Ash told Premier Guitar in June 2008 that the company purchased the store because it was having troubles, and they believed it was an institution that should be maintained. Manny’s grandson, Ian Goldrich, continued to run the store after Sam Ash’s purchase. Neither Ash nor Goldrich could be reached for comment.

That is sad.

I visited the shop in 2000 - bought a pedal just so I could buy something from them!

[Bogwhoppit]

Originally Posted by nocaster

The reason most of the (music) shops around here have closed is because they were shit and run by fools.

.

K

I think that holds true nationwide LOL !