The classic UK music shop Our Price is set to relaunch later this month.
Our Price was a popular chain of record stores across the UK and Ireland, which launched in the early ‘70s and became a famous presence on high streets across the country up until the early ‘00s.
Founded in 1971 by Gary Nesbitt, Edward Stollins and Mike Isaacs, the first branch was located on London’s Finchley Road and, for the first five years, the six stores were branded The Tape Revolution and concentrated on selling CDs and eight-track tapes.
From 1976 onwards, the chain was rebranded as Our Price Records, in response to higher demand for vinyl records, then rebranded once again as Our Price Music in 1988, before landing on Our Price in 1993. By this point, over 300 branches had been opened across the UK and Ireland.
Despite having branches in locations such as Kings Road, Chelsea and being named as the second-largest retailer of records and tapes in the ‘80s – with Woolworths benign the first – the business was put under threat by the expansion of HMV.
After a plethora of issues, the business gradually declined, and closed its final branch in 2004. However, it has now confirmed that it will be relaunching, and set to open its doors again next week.
A customer looks through a rack of vinyl records in London, 2023. CREDIT: Peter Nicholls/Getty Images
“For two decades Our Price has held a special place in the heart of many. Today, we’re thrilled to announce we’re making a comeback! Get ready to discover the value and excitement you loved about Our Price as we gear up for a grand re-launch on the 30th April 2024,” reads a post on the store’s website.
Similarly, the shop posted an update on Facebook, building anticipation for the return – two decades after it closed.
“Countdown’s ticking and we’re pumped. And (if I’m honest) pretty jittery. We’re a crew of musos, DJs and enthusiasts reviving a beloved brand,” it began. “We’re not exactly swimming in cash, so no flashy launch. We’re doing things organically, adding new lines every month. For us, it’s all about good vibes and keeping it personal.”
It continued: “Also (and this isn’t PR speak) we want you to be part of the journey. Tell us what you’re into. We want to hear from you. Drop us a line once the site is live telling us what you want from Our Price.
“For day 1 we’ve got about 20,000 vinyl, some very cool tees, and the beginnings of what will ultimately be a carefully curated range of hi-fi and audio equipment. It’s going to be great.”
Countdown’s ticking and we’re pumped. And (if I’m honest) pretty jittery. We’re a crew of musos, DJs and enthusiasts…
Posted by Our Price on Thursday, April 25, 2024
You can sign up to the store via the official website ahead of its launch on April 30. Those who sign up are offered “free shipping and all the pre-orders, product updates and comp news”.
News of the brand’s comeback comes after it was reported last December that sales of vinyl records in the UK had hit their highest level since 1990.
It marked the 16th consecutive year of rising sales, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which also added that the vinyl market had increased more than four times as fast with an 11.7 per cent rise to 5.9 million units in 2023.
According to the BPI’s analysis, the “ever-rising demand for vinyl albums and other music releases on physical format” reflects a “thriving market for music on the high street”, citing the popularity of independent record stores and the success of shops like HMV, which reopened its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street last year.
It also arrives as the number of independent record shops in the UK recently hit a 10-year high, according to industry findings.
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