RETAIL NEWS
Two in, two out, as music retail shake-up continues
MI retail experiences turbulent period, with big shops opening and closing all over the UK BY ADAM SAVAGE
TWO MAJOR music stores have fallen victim to the recession in the last few weeks, but several new shops have also sprung up across the country. Musicland in Cardiff
called in insolvency practicioners Stones & Co, resulting in the winding up of the company after more than 35 years of trading. With around 4,000 square feet of floor space, Musicland was the largest MI shop in the area, stocking guitars, amps and digital pianos. It was also home to its Sound Centre, a department for audio and lighting gear. Soon to follow was Aberdeen’s Bruce Millers, a feature of the city for more than a century. Having attempted to find a new buyer for the whole business, which also encompassed a pub, coffee shop and audio- visual department, the store was forced into closure, resulting in the loss of almost 50 jobs. “We’ve been very lucky
with our loyal, knowledgeable staff, some of whom have been here a lot of years. That’s the very sad part,” said director Maitland Miller.
Comments began pouring
in on the MI Pro website in reaction to the closures. “Genuinely sad news this.
I have the utmost respect for Dean and wish him and the lads better times with whatever they choose to do,” Mark Dickinson of Casio remarked following the news
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of Musicland’s closure. “I can only echo our
“ Comments
began pouring in to the MI Pro website in
reaction to the closures.
sadness at another major independent disappearing from our streets. It is so unbelievable that it has evolved this way, despite the efforts of their excellent staff,” added Brian Philip of Music Station in Inverness, responding to the Bruce Millers situation. Restoring the balance
though were a number of newcomers to the MI retail scene, starting with Dowsons Music. Based in the West Yorkshire town of Saltaire, the dealership was founded by 21 year-old Asher Dowson and focuses heavily on providing gear for the younger musician. Specialising mainly in the
guitar, drums and keyboard markets, Dowsons carries a variety of top brands, including Roland, Yamaha, Orange, Vox and Korg. Having worked as a sales
and marketing manager and workshop leader at a local music education services provider, Dowson has worked with over 30,000 children and young people over the past two years. Another chain to branch
out into new territory was Guitar Guitar, which opened its new flagship store in Epsom, Surrey on June 18th. Despite sparking an online debate over the decision to name it Guitar Guitar London – due to its suburban location – there were no complaints about its product offering.
As well as stocking all the
big guitar names, it features exclusive brands like Tyler, Suhr and LSL, along with an acoustic room filled with gear from leading UK luthiers Moon, Lowden, Atkin and Patrick James Eggle.
Similar to its Glasgow
branch, Guitar Guitar London is also home to a Roland Planet, containing an extensive range of digital drum kits, synthesizers and music production hardware.
IN
Guitar Guitar, Epsom Dowsons, Saltaire
OUT Bruce Millers, Aberdeen Musicland, Cardiff
July 2011 54
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