OVERVIEW:

In light of the unprecedented challenge currently faced by independent retailers, the UK record business has launched the #recordstoreoftheday campaign to help connect fans with their favourite local stores online.

Little compares to the joys of crate digging, swapping music recommendations and catching live shows inside local record stores. Now they have closed their doors to in-person visitors, we’re asking you to support them online and over the phone.

Starting today with Banquet Records in Kingston, the #recordstoreoftheday campaign will spotlight a different independent record store across the country every single day of the week via the social media accounts @recordstoreotd on Twitter, @recordstoreoftheday on Instagram and our Record Store of the Day Facebook page.

Representing all corners of the music scene — from rock to reggae, indie to electronic — some thirty stores are already lined up to take part. These include Edinburgh’s Underground Solu’shn, Brighton’s Resident Records, Newcastle’s Reflex and London’s Sister Ray (full list below).

HOW YOU CAN HELP

As well as buying from their online shops or over the phone, we’re asking you to show your support by sharing a memorable record or purchase from an independent record store on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. This might include branded t-shirts, mugs, slipmats, books, posters or whatever you bought!

Make sure you include the hashtag #recordstoreoftheday and tag the store in your post to be in with the chance of winning vouchers worth £10 – £150, for use at any participating store.

WHAT: Share a picture or name a record or other record store purchase you love
TAG: @ the independent record store you bought it from
HASHTAG: #recordstoreoftheday
WHEN: Every single day of the week from Monday 30 March
WHERE: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

Fans can also follow the campaign on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, where a different retailer will be spotlighted each day, offering a glimpse of their rare and upcoming releases, stories about how they were founded and who’s behind the (virtual counter).

The campaign is expected to extend through April and beyond as more independent record stores join.

SUPPORTERS

The #recordstoreoftheday campaign is supported by:

Artists including Alex Nut, Coldcut, Floating Points and Matthew Halsall
Labels including Castle Face, Eglo, Erased Tapes, Gondwana, In The Red, Jazz Re:freshed and Woodsist
Record Store Day, AIM, the BPI and ERA

QUOTES

“After all, we the two founders of Coldcut and Ninja Tune did meet in an independent record store, Reckless Records of Berwick St, which, like Oldcut, is still rocking 33 years later!
In fact Jon was the manager there for a while. Chatting in the store bonded us on breakbeats, vinyl and crate digging and that’s where we decided to make our first record.
“So the record store is the place where it all happened and still the place to meet fellow music heads. Let's keep that shared experience going and especially support all independent record shops at this time. IRL may be best but if that’s nor possible online is still cool. Do it!”
Coldcut

“As a record lover as well as an artist and record producer, independent record stores are amongst my most cherished spaces. They are refuge, radio station and home from home. From Piccadilly to Rough Trade and King Bee to June and Soul Jazz I am at my happiest crate-digging for that unfound gem or hearing the latest releases on the decks.”
Matthew Halsall

"Indie record shops have faced the double blow of the postponement due to coronavirus of Record Store Day to June 20 and now the closure of their stores. Indie record shops are part of the DNA of the local communities they serve and now more than ever we should be finding ways to support them. That’s why we are urging music fans to continue buying from their local shops online where possible, asking about gift vouchers and following their local record shop's social media channels.

“The Record Store of the Day campaign is a brilliant way to highlight the UK's independent shops, big and small, during this difficult time. There are great record shops in every corner of the UK and we want to keep it that way and support indies through the coronavirus crisis.” Megan Page - PR and Marketing Manager, Record Store Day/ERA

“Independent Records Shops are the cornerstone of popular music culture. What many don’t realise is that they can often offer a personalised, knowledgeable, “store counter” service over the phone and by email. Help save independent music retail by “ordering local” while you #stayathome” Danny Ryan - MD, Kudos Records

“We love selling music - when we opened it was all vinyl, then it was lots of CDs with some vinyl, and now it's back to mainly vinyl and some CDs. It is always better over the counter, with a chat about the latest show / release, or a coffee to catch up on football / kids, but at the moment it is only over the internet / online. We will get all our shops back open as soon as it is safe to do so, but in the meantime stay healthy, and settle for the second best option of online ordering.” Nigel House - Co Owner, Rough Trade

“Record shops are such an essential part of the high street, they provide a community & cultural hub, serving their local area, where like-minded people can share their passion, ideas & enthusiasm for music and more. They’re not only a place to discover your new favourite band/artist/producer, but also rub shoulders with them, as many shops host in-store release shows and events promoting new music.” Mike Smith - Banquet Records

“Without those initial experiences crate-digging in record shops, Jazz re:freshed wouldn’t be what it is today. They’re a meeting place for like-minded people. A hub for headz. The digital space has so many benefits, but you can’t replicate the community and connections that come from being in that physical space.” Sam Campbell - Jazz Re:freshed

PARTICIPATING STORES

Banquet Records - Kingston Upon Thames
Wax and Beans - Bury
Underground Solu’shn - Edinburgh
Sounds of the Universe - London
Empire Records - St Albans
Black Circle Records - Leighton Buzzard
Spinning Discs Sheffield - Sheffield
Up North Records - Chester
Soul Brother Records - Putney, London
Derrick’s Music - Swansea
Off the Beaten Tracks - Louth, Lincolnshire
Sister Ray - London
Record Corner - Godalming
World of Echo - London
Intense Records - Chelmsford
Fish Records - Stone, Staffordshire
Reflex - Newcastle upon Tyne
Transmission Records - Margate
The Vinyl Whistle - Headingley
Grind and Groove Records - Keighley
Sound Records - Stroud
Seismic Records - Leamington Spa
Resident - Brighton
Lion Coffee + Records - London
Red House Records - Swindon
The Record Store - Ashford
Vintage & Vinyl - Folkestone
HiFix - Coventry
Flashback Records - London

More are expected to come on board soon.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Record Store of the Day is an initiative led by the UK’s music distributors, including Cargo, Forte Distribution, Kudos Records, Little Amber Fish, Nova Distribution, The Orchard, PIAS, Proper Music Distribution, Republic of Music, Shellshock, SRD and Trapeze.

As distributors act as middlemen between labels and retailers, they are well-placed to understand the crucial role that independent retailers play in the music ecosystem. In support of this, they have launched Record Store of the Day to help persuade music buyers to continue supporting independent stores online and over the phone, to maintain the surrounding culture and community that is so important to independent music.