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WMG retail arm to aid indies
Partnership with label giant's sales division will help usher small record stores into the digital age, using Warner Music's catalog.
Local independent record stores got a new ally today in their attempt to transition into the digital age.
Stores like the one in High Fidelity have long faced a difficult task of surviving in a world of digital downloads, and Warner Music Group (WMG) is seizing the opportunity to help them make it while promoting its music catalog in the process.
WEA Corp., Warner's US sales and retail marketing company, formed a partnership with three independent retail coalitions to help their members develop Web-based download services.
The three independent groups, the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS), Association of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), and Music Monitor Network (MMN), each represent factions of indie music stores.
WEA has tabbed ecommerce firm B3 Corp. to create retailer-branded digital music stores, starting Warner Music's catalog. Stores will be able to offer downloads, digital bundles like digital albums packaged with extra content, and downloads of in-store performances.
"Supporting the independent music community is part of our core strategy," WEA CEO John Esposito said in a statement. "Today's announcement demonstrates our view that the independent retail community is critical and vibrant. We seek to eliminate barriers to entry for independents that want to participate in the digital music space."
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