I am planning to set up a record shop, selling music cds. I'm struggling to find any wholesalers or suppliers. Most searches return very dodgy looking websites.
Do you have any idea where I could find a good supplier?

Thanks
Ashli

ScottGem

Have you tried contacting the record labels directly for their wholesalers?

excon

Hello ashers:

There is a business cycle. The business's that begin a cycle usually don't make any money. The business’s that end a cycle don't either.

Record stores were everywhere a few years ago. They’re not now. They've all gone out of business. There's only a few left and they only survive because they specialize - but they'll soon be gone too. The cycle is at an end.

Downloading music is SOOOOOOOO much easier than actually going to a music store. Therefore, I'd do something else.

That’s my business plan.

excon

ScottGem

I have to agree with excon. You are going to be competing with big box stores like Best Buy and Circuit City as well as chains like Virgin and FYE. They can buy in bulk and undercut your pricing. And then you also have the download sites to deal with (not to mention the pirates).

To succeed as a semi-independent you would need to join a cooperative buying group. And even then, you would need to offer something special to customers to bring them into the store.