Number of UK music retailers reaches all-time high

The number of shops selling music in the UK has reached an all-time high, it has been announced.

Figures published by the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) reveal the amount outlets selling CDs and vinyl in 2014 totalled 10,391, up 20% from 8,633 in 2013. 

ERA CEO Kim Bayley attributes much of the growth to the increasing number of supermarkets and discount stores such as Wilko and Matalan selling a limited range of music and video product.

"Physical outlets seem to have the edge when it comes to impulse and gift purchases," she said. "You cannot gift-wrap a download or stream."

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Bayley added that the findings are "an extraordinary result which means that UK consumers have a greater choice of outlets from which to buy music, video and games than ever before."

However, the increase in consumer choice has not resulted in higher CD sales, though the rate of its decline is slower in the UK than in other markets. 

In 2014, physical album sales totalled £514 million, a 5% fall on the previous year's total of £540 million, according to the ERA 2015 Yearbook. Digital album sales were also down, slipping to £199 million, down from £233 million in 2013 (a 14.4% drop).

In the same period, subscription streaming retail sales climbed 65%, from £106 million to £175 million, according to BPI estimates.

The total value of music sales in the U.K. last year was £1.03 billion a 1.6% decline on 2013's total of £1.05 billion.  Of those transactions, physical formats still accounted for just over 50% of the UK music market, down from 52% in 2013.

"Ever since the birth of UK entertainment retailing in 1921 with the opening of the first HMV in London's Oxford Street, entertainment retailers have proven themselves to be innovators," Bayley said, adding: "Thanks to the ground-breaking technology and heavy investment of a new breed of entertainment retailers offering access services, we are witnessing a revolution in the entertainment industry, benefiting consumers, creators and content owners alike."