Record Store Vs Comic Shop

[furie]

Which of these two institutions (if they can be called that) are more endangered?
Independent record stores took a huge hit from the large retailers then the whole inductry was deal a serious blow by napster/limerwire/torrents/ what have you.

And comic shops, it seems no one reads comics anymore, at least the younger generation doesn't seem to be getting into them. And i'm sure the internet hurt them as well.

[keithy_19]

I still know of/go to some record stores. There used to be a comic book store in my town that probably was a front for drugs. I would go there sometimes but I was never really into comics.

[keithy_19]

And as for music, I'll buy the tangible music from a a band I like. I enjoy having the linear notes and the album art.

[TripleSkeet]

I still know of/go to some record stores. There used to be a comic book store in my town that probably was a front for drugs. I would go there sometimes but I was never really into comics.

Im the exact opposite. I couldnt tell you the last time I saw a record store around here. But I still see comics shops. Theres one right around the corner from my house actually.

[cougarjake13]

Music stores are definitely more endangered cause even with the comic shop they have other things to sell besides the comics and there's still plenty of people who read them and some do on inner webs but I think most people buy their music online and thru iTunes

[keithy_19]

The best known record store I know is Vintage Vinyl. It's an exception I guess.

[PapaBear]

We have one record store and I think only one comic book store. Both have been here for decades, but the record store has had a couple of different owners. I think they've both been struggling for years, but probably stay afloat because of long time customers.

[cougarjake13]

The best known record store I know is Vintage Vinyl. It's an exception I guess.



Can't believe that's still open

[keithy_19]

Can't believe that's still open

I love that place. I'm not sure how they do it, but good for them.

[cougarjake13]

I love that place. I'm not sure how they do it, but good for them.

Used to go there once a week at least

[StanUpshaw]

We had a new comic book store open more than a year ago and it's still around. I don't know how well it does, but there are always kids bikes parked in the alley.

The music shop we have still exists, but it only barely qualified as a record store even when I was younger. I have to imagine it's even less so now.

[keithy_19]

Used to go there once a week at least

Before I lost my job I'd go there pretty much every wednesday and go through the used CDs. They have a deal whee you buy two and get one free.

[cougarjake13]

Doesn't marvel and dc do a bunch of online comics ? That's gotta be hurting the local shops

[weekapaugjz]

Doesn't marvel and dc do a bunch of online comics ? That's gotta be hurting the local shops

i've seen some info that digital comics is less than 10 percent of total sales. so it might cut into retail shops a little, but it's not much. plus, with comic books, there is a pretty rabid (though be it small) core base that show up to the local shops every wednesday for new books. i can't remember the last time someone said, "hey, you gotta listen to this new cd/record i picked up". it's all on ipods, etc. now. local comic shops are definitely struggling to stay in business though, sales have been declining for years. outlook for both aren't good.

[PapaBear]

If I'm not mistaken, there was a story at the beginning of the year that said that sales of vinyl actually went up last year considerably.

[weekapaugjz]

If I'm not mistaken, there was a story at the beginning of the year that said that sales of vinyl actually went up last year considerably.

hipsters.

[PapaBear]

Here it is. 39% (http://digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2012/120104vinyl)

[realmenhatelife]

Yeah, noone reads digital comics and there's no upside to buying a comic direct to your house where as music sales have mostly gone digital and even if you go out to buy physical media you're not going to get a $4 first week special like amazon will offer.

Comic book stores also have a much bigger merchandise pool and if they're good know how to capitalize on trends. I think I remember that most of a comic book stores revenue comes from everything else, not the books themselves.

Plus, in a comic book store you dont have to carry so much backstock. Noone is showing up looking for a batman from 1982, but if you're a record store your ass better have a few copies of Thriller.




A big and interesting difference to me is the industries involved. The comic industry owns their own product and is selling it to you. The music industry is selling you someone elses product, they're middle men and that makes them redundant, which severly undermines the record store because they wont have an avenue into artists that want to self promote. The innovation comes from outside the industry so it's harder for a record store to stay relevant.

[furie]

there's only two records stores i can think of on all of LI. a hand full of comic shops. I haven't been in any comic shops in over ten years so i can't tell how they're doing, but the record stores always has someone in there. I still buy cd's but only from the few bands i really love. So I average less than one cd a year i guess.

[cougarjake13]

With kindle and amazon online etc book stores have to be extinct soon

[Section 8]

There's a record store/comic shop combo in Howell, NJ. They've been around for quite a while. Although it's been a while since I've been in there, it was always busy. Most of the staff is knowledgeable on both comics and music.