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I've little doubt record stores are now a poor investment, at least as currently managed. Like book stores, they need a way to exploit having physical items in

I've little doubt record stores are now a poor investment, at least as currently managed. Like book stores, they need a way to exploit having physical items in immediate proximity, and the prospect of there being other people around as your browse or shop. Perhaps only carry items that have distinct packaging, while providing high-end listening facilities for digital purchases.

tptacek 15y ago
I knew when I wrote my first comment on this thread that someone was going to tell me about how they love flipping through albums at record stores. I used to, too! The issue is, most people probably don't browse record stores that much. You can take a bunch of books at B&N and sit down with them in the coffee shop. You can't do that at a record store. This is all not to mention the fact that the era of buying music on physical media is pretty much over.
- jamesbritt 15y ago
  The issue is, most people probably don't browse record stores that much. On what do you base this? I don't have anything other than my own anecdotal data, so I offered up my own personal preference. Thing is, as I recall, whenever I went into record stores there seemed to be a fair number of people in there. Gut feeling tells me people were browsing in the stores but buying online. No, you can't take a stack of CDs to listen too, though some places will play something for you if you ask (but that's hardly as frictionless as grabbing books on your own). There still are some opportunities for listening previews, though. This is all not to mention the fact that the era of buying music on physical media is pretty much over. Define "pretty much over." http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/consumer/cue-the-music-driven-by-digital-music-sales-up-in-2011/ http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/consumer/cue-the-music-d... Vinyl is certainly a much smaller market than CDs, but custom packaging still has its appeal.

tptacek 15y ago

I knew when I wrote my first comment on this thread that someone was going to tell me about how they love flipping through albums at record stores. I used to, too! The issue is, most people probably don't browse record stores that much. You can take a bunch of books at B&N and sit down with them in the coffee shop. You can't do that at a record store. This is all not to mention the fact that the era of buying music on physical media is pretty much over.

jamesbritt 15y ago
The issue is, most people probably don't browse record stores that much. On what do you base this? I don't have anything other than my own anecdotal data, so I offered up my own personal preference. Thing is, as I recall, whenever I went into record stores there seemed to be a fair number of people in there. Gut feeling tells me people were browsing in the stores but buying online. No, you can't take a stack of CDs to listen too, though some places will play something for you if you ask (but that's hardly as frictionless as grabbing books on your own). There still are some opportunities for listening previews, though. This is all not to mention the fact that the era of buying music on physical media is pretty much over. Define "pretty much over." http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/consumer/cue-the-music-driven-by-digital-music-sales-up-in-2011/ http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/consumer/cue-the-music-d... Vinyl is certainly a much smaller market than CDs, but custom packaging still has its appeal.