ABSTRACT
The group shares information gleaned from consumer surveys, and it attempts to explore coordinated marketing and the development of products that would be exclusive to independent music stores. Musical instrument stores have been hurt by accelerating internet sales and the presence of less than a handful of monster retailers; still, there are thriving and well-run music stores in all parts of the country. The decline in CD sales resulted not only in the closing of independent record stores, but has also brought about the demise of large record chains. Garth Brooks' threat to remove his product from independent retailers became the impetus to form a new organization, the Coalition of Independent Music Stores. The National Association of Record Merchandisers was founded in 1958 and includes retailers of all sizes, wholesalers, individual educators, and music industry professionals. The music products industry encompasses the manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing of musical instruments, music accessories, printed music, and audio and video products.
