Rough Trade has been expanding its retail presence with store launches in recent years.
The indie retailer is now continuing that growth in partnership with other names on the High Street.
For its Summer Of Sound initiative, Selfridges has enlisted Rough Trade in London to launch The Record Store pop-up today (July 14). The adjacent window situated on the corner of Oxford Street and Orchard Street will host weekly live performances, programmed by Studio Inside Out.
“Selfridges’ Summer of Sound is a celebration of the culture of music fandom, the influence of music merch and the unmistakable sound of our cities, throughout July and August,” said Judd Crane, Selfridges executive director, Buying & Brand. “Selfridges stores become places for fans to come together for live performances, workshops and talks, and the best merch. Building on a legacy of music-led collaboration, Selfridges will share its point of view at the intersection of fashion, retail and pop culture.”
Rough Trade is continuing to grow its vinyl sales, even as the overall market experienced a wobble with unit sales down in Q2. Overall vinyl sales are still up for the first six months.
Rough Trade is now expanding its partnership with John Lewis, which will feature a curated vinyl range in 23 stores. It originally launched in February in select John Lewis stores, including Peter Jones, Bluewater, Cheadle and Edinburgh.
At Rough Trade, we’ve been so thrilled to see the growing appreciation for physical music among a diverse audience of music fans
Lawrence Montgomery
The range of vinyl will also be increased to 40 titles. The initial line-up included Chappell Roan’s The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess, Sampha’s Process and Radiohead’s In Rainbows, as well as classic catalogue by John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye and Nirvana.
Jason Billings-Cray, buyer at John Lewis, said: "We're excited to be part of the vinyl revival, partnering with Rough Trade to bring vinyl records back to our stores. It’s clear that there is a strong market for the format – with both our turntable range and sales up considerably in recent years. We're confident that this new album assortment will be a smash hit with our customers."
Lawrence Montgomery, managing director at Rough Trade, added: “At Rough Trade, we’ve been so thrilled to see the growing appreciation for physical music among a diverse audience of music fans. Vinyl buyers are embracing a wide range of genres and styles, reflecting an exciting enthusiasm for discovery.
“Importantly, the vinyl resurgence continues to deepen the connection between artists and fans, offering a tangible and meaningful way to celebrate the music they love. We look forward to sharing this vibrant culture with John Lewis customers."
Rough Trade will launch its own summer sale today (July 14) including albums by Fontaines DC, Charli XCX and Turnstile, alongside catalogue classics.
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