We linked a story back in January about how the indie record store Amoeba was doing well despite general industry woes. The Chicago Tribune says indie record stores in general are doing well - how can this be??
- "Business is great, fantastic," says Marc Weinstein, co-owner of Amoeba, which also has locations in San Francisco and Berkeley. The Los Angeles store, generally considered to be the biggest record store in North America, opened in early 2001, right when the economic impact of Sept. 11 was being most felt, yet the mega-warehouse-size space has been busy ever since.
So how is it that Amoeba and other independent record stores are flourishing despite record label and industry lobbying group claims that the music industry is in a slump?
....Weinstein encourages his staff to point customers in new directions, and he sees this hands-on approach not only as akin to the curiosity-sating downloading process and essential to his store's success, but as a luxury that most large chains can't afford. Josh Madell, co-owner of New York City's Other Music, which operates across the street from Tower Records' prime Lower East Side location, agrees.
"When the staff has a little more time, they try to talk to customers a little bit more," Madell says. "We have a lot of interesting records in here, so when people come in to buy something we try to play them something else they might like. I can't say it always works, and sometimes we are too busy. But with a real knowledgeable staff, and with a lot of staff on the floor, if people ask a question, there are people out there who can answer and then show them something else they might like. We sell a lot of stuff just because the staff likes it."
....Pricing is another major concern for both indie stores and consumers. With CD prices closing in on $20, major labels and retailers may be further distancing themselves from the very record buyers they need to stay in business. "The majors pushing prices up to $19 per CD is very hard for people to stomach," Other Music's Madell says. "There are not that many people who can afford to shell out $70 for a couple of new records."
"We have huge areas of storage dedicated to $5-or-less CDs," says Amoeba's Weinstein, who stocks more than 500,000 used CDs in his giant store. "I'm sure part of that goes to promote artists that would otherwise get no exposure. Personally, I have always been furious at the list prices of new records. It's ridiculous. The industry has made it so that it can't survive without giant hits. For a lot of reasons, technological and otherwise, it's going to be hard for them to maintain that model, and I don't see anyone working that hard to create another one. It seems like there are a lot of opportunities for someone to do it another way."
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Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I've been to Amoeba (the Hollywood store, in fact) a total of one time last year and I'm convinced it is by far the greatest music store of all time. I wish I could make the trek to LA more often just to go there.
The reason they're so successful is not only their prices but their selection. I only had an hour or so, and so had to hurry through, but I could have easily spent an entire day perusing a seemingly endless library of music there. I found used copies of long-out-of-print albums at reasonable prices, even. And their staff was out wandering the aisles stocking discs and they did indeed seem more than happy to help.
While everyone focuses on the horrors of the RIAA, there is the other end of the business, the retailers, that needs to be paying attention to what makes Amoeba successful. It may not be difficult to get me to buy something new, but retailers need to realize that sometimes the depth of stock they display can suck people in. Simply carrying the latest release by a band isn't enough. A place like Amoeba seems to make sure that they have numerous items to offer - because if I'm in the mood for that band, I'm buying something. I can't be alone in that regard. But I have had numerous times where I went in looking for something at a local store (chain indie, I mean) knowing it was something they should have and they didn't. That is inexcusable. That is why I end up resorting to the internet for purchases. I'd be happy to pay a little more than online prices to have what I want now. It may seem unnecessary and expensive for these stores to keep one or two copies of everything a band they sell releases, but there are more of me out there than they realize. They've just decided to focus only on "big sellers" and don't even realize what they're missing out on. It's this mentality that will result in the death of the brick-and-mortar music store.
2 - visualsimplicity
Tom--totally agree. I've had the hardest time trying to find old stuff from Sigur Ros (even from local used music shops).
3 - Mark Saleski
stores like this are great. my favorite is Lou's Records down in Encinitas, CA. i only get to visit once a year (because as much as i love Lou's, it's kinda expensive to fly from new hampshire to california just for records....)...but it's always inspiring. dang, just the 'new music' (read: skronk) section alone is enough to make me drool.
locally, i have to drive about an hour to find a decent store...which is Bull Moose in portsmouth, nh. a great jazz section, tons of vinyl, and a staff that knows music.
that combination is very rare.
i've just gotta make it out to amoeba.
4 - Tom Johnson
Lou's is probably the second-best store I've had the pleasure of visiting. Unfortunately, I didn't have much time there either, as I was there to see Mike Keneally play an acoustic in-store for the release of his Dancing album.
I need to make a San Diege-Hollywood record store trip, I think.
5 - Aaron
Amoeba is great. Although the crowds on the weekends could be a little overwhelming at times.
I just moved from SF to DC - anyone know of an Amoeba-type store out here?
6 - James
Being a serious music junkie, I buy my music everywhere from in-store to on-line. I have been to all three Amoeba Music stores and I love them. I make a bi-weekly pilgrimage to Amoeba and Rasputin Music in Berkeley. I agree that you can spend a little less shopping at sites like half.com but it is nice to be able to touch your music and purchase get it now. I know I will definitely continue to support the indie stores.
7 - scott
Although I love Weinstein for starting Amoeba, the reason why Ameoba is so successful has nothing to do with his staff that "recommends" music. I have spent literally thousands of dollars in amoeba, and not once have I needed, nor have the staff offered, recommendations.
The reason why they are so successful is simply PRICE and SELECTION. Their average price for a CD is about 10 bucks, which is about the price point that I think most pepple will accept. I hardly ever buy new CDs because they almost always violate this price point. The only time I buy new CDs is from Amazon b/c their proce point is closest to $10 than anyone else. On occasion I buy new from Amoeba despite their high price (for new content), only b/c they save me so much money on the used selection they have.
8 - Edgar A. Falk
I am the author of 1001 Ideas To Create Retail Excitement and want to thank you for carrying it. However, I noted that you are still carrying the original 1994 edition which is both outdated and out of print. A revised edition with seven new chapters as well as additional ideas and information was published in October 2003. I would suggest that you change the link to the new edition. Its ISBN number is 0-7352-0343-1. Thanks for your past support and I hope you will continue to carry the newly revised edition.
9 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Edgar, will make the change