Each year, The Orchard distributes unique vinyl and physical special releases for Record Store Day. The music-lovers holiday celebrates brick and mortar independent retailers with the release of limited edition vinyl.
As is tradition, our record store connoisseur, Terry McGibbon, walks us through his experience:
If my visits to five key Seattle indie accounts was any indication, I’ll say RSD 2019 was one of the biggest and best yet.
My day started by getting in line at 6:30AM at Easy Street Records. The cafe opened at 7AM and Owner, Matt Vaughan, gave everyone in line some of their killer bacon. The line was longer than I’ve ever seen it and when I left the store at 11AM there was still a line of people waiting to get in. Their big seller was the Pearl Jam ” Live At Easy ” LP and Jeff Ament was at the store signing copies for 3 hours.
My next stop was Silver Platters followed by Sonic Boom Records and at 2PM the store was still packed. My purchases included our Brett Smiley release.
My last two stops were in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Everyday Music was still busy and a great local band the Carols were performing. My final stop was Zions Gate Records and at 6PM they were still incredibly busy. They ordered heavy on many of the key titles and RSD 2019 was their biggest day ever for sales.
My day ended having a cold beer at home and cranking up the new Pelican. A perfect ending to the best day of the year.
As far as our accounts, the day was another huge success for the physical market with sales up an average of 4 – 5% compared to RSD 2018. Here is just a few highlights of what they had to say below:
For the third RSD in a row, we set a new No. 1 all-time sales day in the store’s 42-year history. And that wasn’t the only record we set. The first person in line was here at 1:30am after driving two hours from Twin Falls (our previous record was 5am), and we had our longest line (250) of customers queuing up before we opened the doors. Needless to say, it was a crazy morning (in a good way). We were up 8% for RSD19 and up 14% for the weekend (Friday-Sunday) – that’s after 13% growth in 2018 and 21% growth in 2017.
– The Record Exchange
Jam bands ruled the day but sell through was strong on almost everything that came out. All ships rose and we sold tons of catalog, rare vinyl, bargain grab-bags and lifestyle. It was a retail bonanza. We were 5% over last year’s sales. It was our best day ever and as we entered our 31st year this month it gave me some interesting perspective. On RSD 2019 we generated 1,000 times the sales we did on our first day of business in 1988. Another way to look at it is we did the same amount of sales on this one day as we did in our entire first year of business. I’d call that a success. Thanks to Record Store Day and all the record labels that step up so boldly each year with their releases.
– Twist & Shout
On RSD 2019 we generated 1,000 times the sales we did on our first day of business in 1988. Another way to look at it is, we did the same amount of sales on this one day as we did in our entire first year of business. I’d call that a success.
Twist & Shout
RSD was f****ing great. First person was in line 5:30PM Friday evening with 300+ at our 9AM open. Thank you so much for everything that you do for us for RSD and the entire rest of the year. It’s pretty amazing that we get to do what we do and I’m glad to [work with you] as a part of it.
– Darkside Records
The day wouldn’t be what it is without so many talented artists and labels willing to participate. Thank you to all those who put together unique packages and inspired fans to come out in droves!
We’re already counting the days until Record Store Day 2020!
