NEWS, OPINION, DATA Mystery
Shopper is on the hunt for a new stage
piano in Barnet and Enfield. P56
We visit one of the world’s most renowned vintage guitar stores. P58
Musicroom MD BY ADAM SAVAGE
SIMON POLLARD has taken full control of retail chain Musicroom following Iain Davidson’s decision to step down as chairman after 35 years with the company. Pollard (pictured) revealed the company has plans to introduce new stores in “high-profile locations” as part of a review of its group of nationwide stores. “We’re looking at new
opportunities for Musicroom, both in new locations and in potential acquisitions,” said Pollard. “We currently have two or
Mystery Shopper North London P56 • Retail Profile Dave’s Guitar Shop P58 • New Gear P63 • Sheet P70 FIVE SECOND
eyes expansion New man at helm of retail chain hints at new stores in “high-profile locations.”
three locations, where we’re looking to open reasonably large shops.” The news comes after the retailer closed its Poole branch at the end of June. “The decision to shut any
store is always a difficult one,” added Pollard. “Our Poole store suffered due to its location and the changing face of the retail scene within the town. It is vital for any business to constantly review performance against set targets and make adjustments when and where necessary.” Musicroom has also
removed its sheet music
concession from City Music in Truro, with sister company Music Sales now catering for the retailer’s sheet music requirements. The store now operates as a trade ‘racking’ account, which, according to Musicroom, means it is now better serviced by Music Sales’ experts with extensive experience in managing sheet music concessions.
PMT moves into new head office
that we have been running a very large company from a matchbox for far too long. Despite our massive growth over the last five years, we were still operating out of the same office space we started with. My tinge of sadness at the loss of our tradition is wildly outweighed by the
excitement of this latest part of our expansion.” On the company’s plans to
BY RONNIE DUNGAN
S&T AUDIO, owner of PMT, has moved out of its Southend headquarters of 22 years to new, bigger premises in the town and has also announced plans for a tenth store in Cambridge.
www.mi-pro.co.uk The firm says increased
store expansion, online activity and the acquisition of Dolphin Music meant it had outgrown its previous base and has now moved to 59 Queens Road, Southend. Joint managing director
Terry Hope said: “The fact is
move into Cambridge city centre later on this year, PMT co-owner Simon Gilson said: “Cambridge has been on our target list for many years, but as is often the case in our country’s major cities, the availability and overheads of
city centre property usually excludes our industry from getting the best locations. “The margins of our
industry usually exclude city centre retail, however successful the store is. Is it any wonder that our towns and city centres are becoming one giant coffee shop, when only the sale of an 8p cup of froth for £3 can pay landlords the absurd rents they have come to expect? “We are delighted to have
acquired such a large footprint store on the busiest road in Cambridgeshire. The new store will open later this summer with the exciting news that it will initially create ten new jobs.”
FACTS
The magic numbers in MI that caught our eye this month...
35
Years of Iain Davidson’s career were spent at Musicroom
22
Years was how long PMT was situated at its old headquarters, also in Southend
18
The number of stores in the
Musicroom chain 10
PMT’s store count will enter double figures once its Cambridge branch opens later on this year
2
Musicroom sheet music concessions remain
July 2012 53
Retail
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