i'm trying to start a music store that sells everything from cd's to books clothing ,and posters. The only thing is i don't know where to go to get the supplies? Do i contact record companies or do i find a distributor? please help!!
First, I'd take a step back and research the industry. Your best bet "may" be to open a niche store. Selling everything is pretty much a path to ruin--online or real world. Just make sure you're not inspired by movies like High Fidelity that show what the industry used to be. The best plan might be to start (if this an online venture) by joining affiliate programs and selling their merchandise. Then you don't have the overhead and other business issues.
Hi, with cd's it's quite hard as the distributors favour the huge companies and it's really difficult to get a foot in the door as an independant retailer. I tried with music cd's for a particular (and way too small!) niche and hardly got anywhere. In the end I used Amazon for big name artists and bought direct from independant artists. As Marketjunction said, maybe go for a niche and then use the affiliate programs there are. That way you can learn the marketing side without getting yourself into debt (believe me, been there done that!). For example amazon for books and cd's and art.com for posters.
The future is digital downloads unless you have a niche market and close connections with the industry. Its not the best venture at the current climate but defo research till you know every last detail of your market.
my thoughts exactly. places like best buy have already killed the indie record store. digital downloads are the new standard in buying music nowadays. i know, it sucks. but affiliate selling might be good for you as some have stated above.
Also iTunes store is such a Beast nowadays, i would concentrate on a niche and build the store around that niche. People will be more likely to return to you for that special thing you do. However you do slightly limit yourself aswel