Plugged In - Retail Event - Last Shop Standing

During the last ten years the music retail landscape in the UK has changed dramatically. Many of the independent stores, where we may have bought our first records and CDs, have disappeared. For a time it seemed that the big chains like Virgin / Zavvi, Music Zone and MVC, had forced down the price of music and squeezed the independents out of business. However, none of these music chains exist today, having themselves been strangled by the pricing policy of the supermarkets and online retailers.

Our speakers, on this occasion, spend a great deal of their working lives travelling the country, visiting music stores. Their insight will hopefully provide you with a greater understanding of what’s happening on the high street and explain the relevance of this kind of retailing, in an age of digital distribution.

Graham Jones - Co-founder of Proper Distribution and author of the book Last Shop Standing

Graham’s modest beginnings in the music industry, started with him selling a job lot of 7” singles – and an unusual line in fruit bowls – at Elsmere Port Market. This inauspicious start led to him being employed by his local HMV store, and managing Merseyside band, The Cherry Boys. Graham’s gift as a salesman developed further, when he then landed a job as a sales rep for the record distributor SP&S. It was during this time that he began to gain his encyclopedic knowledge of music retailing, as he toured various parts of the country selling records from the back of a van.

His enthusiasm for music, coupled with a streetwise understanding of retailing, meant he was perfectly placed to set-up his own venture. In the 1990s this became a reality, when he became a co-founder of the company known today as Proper Distribution. His recent success as an author has led to all kinds of new opportunities. These include being a major contributor to a new Radio 2 documentary entitled ‘Last Call for the Spinning Disc’ (broadcast in May 2010 and available on BBC iPlayer) and, of course, a chance to speak at Plugged-In.

Simon Eltringham - HMV Live Planner

Simon’s career began at HMV in 2002. His early days at the store saw him work as a specialist singles buyer for Dance and Urban genres. Over a period of time, he worked at the company’s stores across the North East, eventually becoming assistant manager of their Newcastle store. In 2008 Simon moved to HMV’s head office, in London, joining the team responsible for in-store events. His role has developed into artist liaison, as HMV’s business model has changed to incorporate a growing portfolio of live music venues. Despite Simon’s demanding day job, he also works as a DJ and promoter. He has DJ’d at Glastonbury and The V Festival and currently promotes his own ‘Press Play’ events in Central London.

The Plugged In network events aim to stimulate the North East music industry, by improving people’s understanding of the business. The events are also geared to help companies and individuals develop relationships with other like-minded people, both regionally and nationally.

Tickets for the event are £10, or annual Plugged In membership is available for £25. Member companies are allowed free entry for 2 people per event.